Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • WFEL hosts Australian Department of Defence Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group

Defence

WFEL hosts Australian Department of Defence Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group

WFEL welcomed Brigadier Ed Smeaton - Director General Land Manoeuvre Systems of the Australian Department of Defence this week, to their defence manufacturing facilities.

Brigadier Smeaton’s organisation, which is part of the Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group, is responsible for the acquisition and through-life support of a wide range of land-based capabilities required by the Australian Defence Force (ADF), including bridging.
 
Brigadier Smeaton was delighted to be shown around WFEL’s production facility, which is currently supplying a number of its Dry Support Bridges (DSB) and Medium Girder Bridges (MGB) to the ADF under the Land 155 Phase 1 Enhanced Gap Crossing Capability project.

Advertisement
ODU RT

The Brigadier was also keen to discover more about WFEL’s wider technical capabilities within the defence sector, and to see the latest developments across a full range of rapidly-deployable bridging products.

As a long-standing user of WFEL’s MGB bridges since the 1970’s, the ADF has recently taken delivery of their first new sets of WFEL’s rapidly-deployable bridging systems, and the Brigadier was keen to observe the technical operations behind the manufacture of these bridges. 

After having been shown around the facilities by WFEL’s Managing Director, Ian Anderton, Brigadier Smeaton commented, “My visit today was extremely informative and your team were both passionate and engaging.  It was a particularly good opportunity to understand the design and complexity that goes into the manufacturing of your bridging products.  As a customer and user, it was reassuring to see the level of testing and quality assurance completed at each stage in the process.”

Ian Anderton added, ‘We are extremely proud to have supplied our Australian customer with a world-leading set of bridging systems and we look forward to developing further our ongoing relationship”.

Advertisement
ODU RT

WFEL will be attending the Eurosatory show next week in Paris.


 

Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner
NP Aerospace and Dyneema advance armour for military servicewomen

Defence Events

NP Aerospace and Dyneema advance armour for military servicewomen

8 June 2026

Avient Corporation's Dyneema, is supplying its high-performance unidirectional (UD) materials to NP Aerospace, enabling the production of armour systems designed specifically to fit the female body.

Over 300 employers recognised with Defence ERS Silver Award for 2026

Defence

Over 300 employers recognised with Defence ERS Silver Award for 2026

8 June 2026

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced that 331 organisations from across the UK have achieved the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Silver Award for 2026, recognising their sustained commitment to supporting the armed forces community.

Barrow school to launch technical education pathway

Aerospace Defence

Barrow school to launch technical education pathway

8 June 2026

Walney School in Barrow-in-Furness is going to be introducing an innovative employer-led technical education pathway in September, which aims to equip young people with the skills for high-quality careers and to help local employers tackle skills shortages.

MGI Engineering expands into Italy with Vigilar Group

Aerospace Defence Security

MGI Engineering expands into Italy with Vigilar Group

5 June 2026

Oxfordshire based MGI Engineering has entered into a strategic partnership with Vigilar Group, marking MGI’s expansion into Italy and a significant new phase of growth across Europe.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Janes awarded £17.5m Enterprise Agreement Lite by UK MoD

Defence

Janes awarded £17.5m Enterprise Agreement Lite by UK MoD

5 June 2026

Janes has been awarded a three-year Enterprise Agreement Lite (EAL), valued at up to £17.5 million, by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), to provide comprehensive, unclassified and up-to-date technical intelligence on military equipment across air, sea, land and space domains.

Farnborough International Airshow reveals first wave of 2026 flying display

Aerospace Defence Events

Farnborough International Airshow reveals first wave of 2026 flying display

4 June 2026

Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) has announced the first of many aircraft and teams taking part in its 2026 flying display, which is set to be its largest and most diverse in decades.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner