It was announced today that the new UK Forces General Service Respirator (GSR) manufactured by Avon Protection is now in service with full production underway.
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Press Release, 01 November 2019: Avon Protection is pleased to announce that the UK MOD General Service Respirator (GSR) is now in production and work has begun to deliver the first order.
Avon Protection was awarded the 5-year contract to resupply and in-service support for the GSR in February 2018. After a year of development, samples of the GSR were provided to DSTL for laboratory testing and User evaluation. These tests were successfully passed and the GSR was accepted into service in September. Avon Protection received the first order for respirators and spares at the beginning of October.
To meet the needs of full-scale production, two new manufacturing lines have been created to assemble the respirator and filter systems. The £16 million contract has created 22 new jobs at Avon Protection – three management and nineteen shop-floor production – as well as helping to sustain their 180 employees in Melksham, Wiltshire.”
This contract showcases the joint efforts between the CBRN team at DE&S, Avon Protection, DSTL and the User. Paul McDonald, Chief Executive Officer for Avon Protection, said: ”We are delighted to support the UK MOD and service personnel with the GSR respirator and we look forward to continuing a long-term relationship with this strategically important customer. This contract demonstrates the UK MOD’s continued confidence and reliance on Avon Protection to supply product of the highest quality and performance to protect its troops.”
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Further GSR details released today by UK MoD DE&S:-
- The design of the twin-canister, single-visor mask has been made with the safety and comfort of troops in mind, using high-performance filtration technology to ensure they are protected while still being able to communicate easily on the frontline.
- The General Service Respirators are personally fitted and issued to all UK service personnel across the Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy.
- The company is aiming to produce an initial batch of 15,380 GSRs over the next year and will also supply in-service support for the equipment.
