WFEL will be supplying its MGB Medium Girder Bridging System in a 31m double-storey variant. The system can be erected in various configurations and will be supplied complete with handrails, making it adaptable for use in situations such as the severe flooding seen in Europe recently.
The Irish military has been using WFEL's MGB Medium Girder Bridging System since the late 1970s. The Corps of Engineers – the military engineering branch of the Defence Forces of Ireland - will take delivery of the new MGB bridging.
Colonel Damian McEvoy, director of engineering for the Irish Defence Forces, said: “As long-time users of the Medium Girder Bridge system, we are already familiar with its many benefits and, by updating our bridging assets with the latest version of the MGB, we will continue to be equipped with the most versatile, modular bridging system available, allowing our Engineering Division to rapidly react to situations both on and off the battlefield.
“Of particular importance to us is the lightweight nature of the MGB system, not only for reducing transportation weight, but to enable the bridge components to be handled by our troops without the need for mechanical aids.”
The Irish Defence Forces is due to receive its new assets at the end of 2023.
Tom Winney, business development director at WFEL, said: "We are delighted to be working closely with the Irish Defence Force once again and refreshing their military bridging stocks with the latest MGB systems, to provide vital engineer capabilities. We are seeing increased interest in our MGB bridging systems worldwide, due to their modular and versatile nature, as forces worldwide recognise the need for rapid gap-crossing capability to ensure unrestricted manoeuvre for vehicles of up to 70 tonnes.”
