As a strategic support partner to the British Army, Babcock helps keep more than 30,000 military vehicles ready to deploy at short notice. The fleet ranges from quad bikes and military Land Rovers to Challenger tanks.
The company said the roles are intended for technicians who want to use existing skills in a different and operationally critical environment. Although armoured vehicles are designed for extreme conditions and include specialist capabilities, Babcock said the core mechanical skills needed to maintain them are directly transferable from civilian automotive work.
At Babcock’s site in Bovington, Dorset, mechanics can work on tasks ranging from oil changes on military Land Rovers to in-depth repairs of 62-tonne Challenger 2 tanks. The company said this work supports the readiness of the British Army’s “green” fleet.
“There’s often a misconception that you need a military background to work on the British Army fleet but that’s not the case,” said Damien Harding, Babcock’s Head of Site in Bovington, Dorset. “If you can service an SUV, you can apply the same fundamentals to a Challenger 2 tank.”
“Our team plays a critical role ensuring the British Army’s ‘green’ fleet is mission-ready – and they take pride knowing that they’re playing their part in protecting national security,” Harding said. Babcock said the roles offer technicians the opportunity to work on armoured and tracked vehicles in a defence support environment.
Guy, who joined Babcock as a technician from a car dealership 20 years ago, is now a Workshop Manager at Bovington and is qualified to drive a tank. He said the work has provided progression through the business and a direct link to operational readiness.
“I’ve found it a rewarding experience progressing through the business – and the work our team does makes a genuine difference,” Guy said. “Conducting maintenance on armoured, tracked vehicles never gets dull and it’s great being able to sign off a ‘ready-to-go’ tank after putting it through its paces on the proving ground.”
Babcock is a main sponsor of Tankfest, which will take place at the Bovington Tank Museum from June 26 to 28. The company said visitors to its stand will be able to learn about a wide range of career opportunities.
