The investment will see 12 buildings demolished and replaced with 11 multi-functional structures, known as 鈥榮tone tents鈥�.
The new facilities are designed to provide a multi-purpose training camp that can be used as a forward operating base or to replicate a terrorist camp, refugee camp and a non-governmental organisation base. It will also provide an exercise base for troops training in the local area.
The project, which is being carried out in partnership with Landmarc Support Services, will also involve improving the surrounding infrastructure with tracks and hardstandings to support the Challenger 2 main battle tanks, Warrior armoured fighting vehicles and the new Ajax fleet.
WO1 Jeff Elson, DIO鈥檚 training safety marshall at Salisbury Plain said: 鈥淒IO鈥檚 priority is to support our armed forces by delivering the facilities they need to live, work, train and deploy on operations. The investment being made in upgrading New Zealand Farm Camp is the biggest single investment in a training camp on Salisbury Plain since Copehill Down village in the late 1980s. The diverse training features that will be incorporated into the site will benefit our training troops as they will enable a variety of exercise scenarios to be undertaken.鈥�
Clive Paxman, project manager at Landmarc Support Services said: 鈥淟andmarc worked closely with end users and other stakeholders during the design programme to understand the specific requirements of this facility, which was first used for training during World War 2. This collaboration will ensure that we are jointly able to create facilities that will meet the diverse training needs of our armed forces, in the most sustainable and cost-effective way.鈥�
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