Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Soldiers train on first ABP sports facility

Defence

Soldiers train on first ABP sports facility

An all-weather pitch is one of the assets being delivered at Perham Down, Wiltshire, to help soldiers live, work and train, which has been delivered by Aspire Defence for the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Army Basing Programme (ABP).

Above: New assets provided at Perham Down for the Army Basing Programme. Top row: sports pitch. Bottom row: (left) Junior Ranks’ Single Living Accommodation and (right) Regimental Headquarters.
Crown Copyright 2018

The ABP is a joint army and Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) programme, which is providing the facilities the British Army needs to live, work and train in the UK as it returns from Germany, rebases across the UK and restructures to its future Army 2020 formations.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Providing quality physical training facilities supports the army’s commitment to training and sport. Alongside sports facilities, the ABP will also deliver modern, purpose built single living and working accommodation for soldiers, from dining facilities and offices to vehicle garaging, stores and technical buildings.

The new pitch was constructed by Aspire Defence Capital Works (ADCW) and is just one of many essential assets being delivered at Perham Down. A Regimental Headquarters, several Junior Ranks’ single living accommodation (SLA) blocks and an Officers’ SLA block have already been handed over. An Officers’ Mess and gym are currently under construction.

Rhod McGregor, Project Director TidNBul (ADCW), said: "We’re very pleased to hand over this pitch as part of our wider delivery of ABP infrastructure at Perham Down. We continue to maintain an efficient pace of build progress across all our construction sites, to ensure we deliver the right assets at the right time for the army."

Advertisement
ODU RT

All ABP infrastructure across Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA) and at Aldershot is being delivered under Aspire Defence’s 35 year Project Allenby/Connaught (PAC) contract, held with the MoD since 2006.

Mark Duddy, ABP Programme Director, said: "As we near peak ABP construction phase this summer, we’re delighted with the high standard of accommodation being delivered for soldiers across SPTA. The ABP is delivering real and lasting improvements across the defence estate, ensuring that British soldiers live, work and train in the best possible environments."
 

Advertisement
Gulfstream banner
Drone swarms central to AWE26

Defence Events

Drone swarms central to AWE26

17 April 2026

Drones have been at the centre of this year's Army Warfighting Experiment 2026, which each year brings together soldiers, scientists, industry and universities, to test new military technology.

Dstl assesses robotic systems in hazardous incident recovery trial

Defence

Dstl assesses robotic systems in hazardous incident recovery trial

17 April 2026

In a ‘real life’ scenario played out in an empty shopping unit, the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has tested the ability of robotic and autonomous systems to navigate through a building and detect, sample and remediate (clean) a contaminated environment.

QinetiQ pays aerial tribute to iconic Spitfire

Defence Events

QinetiQ pays aerial tribute to iconic Spitfire

17 April 2026

The QinetiQ operated ETPS test pilot school based at MoD Boscombe Down has taken part in the historic Spitfire90 commemorative tour, as the only civilian-registered participants in the nine-day national flight schedule.

SitaWare Headquarters introduces Joint Fires and Targeting capabilities

Defence

SitaWare Headquarters introduces Joint Fires and Targeting capabilities

16 April 2026

Systematic has introduced within SitaWare Headquarters 6.22, a dedicated Targeting Application that brings the targeting process into the same C4ISR environment used for operational planning, situational awareness and mission execution.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Thales launches TopStar Smart Receiver

Defence

Thales launches TopStar Smart Receiver

16 April 2026

Thales has launched its TopStar Smart Receiver, a three-in-one ultra-compact solution providing land forces with resilient positioning, navigation and timing capabilities, while maintaining radio communications in increasingly contested electronic warfare environments.

UK to deliver large drone package to Ukraine

Defence Security

UK to deliver large drone package to Ukraine

15 April 2026

The UK has announced the biggest ever drone package for Ukraine, delivering at least 120,000 drones for Ukraine this year and driving growth and jobs across the UK.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
Gulfstream banner