Digger firm following military order

DIGGER maker JCB has sealed a £14 million order from the French military – the biggest it has ever won from the country's armed forces.

The firm will provide a fleet of its backhoe loaders after the deal was secured following a lengthy tendering and evaluation period.

During that time, JCB fought off competition from other global manufacturers and the first of the specially armoured and camouflaged machines, made at the company's World Headquarters in Rocester, have now started to be delivered.

They are expected to be deployed in conflict zones around the world by engineer regiments.

JCB Sales managing director David Bell said: "There was an extremely long and detailed process to go through to win this business and we are delighted that the contract has been awarded to JCB.

"While we have supplied the French military before, this contract is the biggest ever awarded to us by the French armed forces."

The machine is based on the 4CX backhoe and was adapted from the commercial range.