At the heart of every recovery vehicle lies its most powerful and adaptable asset – the winch. It is the system that transforms a standard vehicle into a recovery platform and delivers the capability to move, lift or recover assets in the most demanding conditions. Without it, even the most capable vehicle is simply a tow truck. With it, a recovery vehicle can deliver decisive capability in the field. That is why understanding how a winch works and how to specify the right one for the task is at the heart of effective recovery planning.

The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has signalled its intent to modernise the British Army’s heavy equipment transporter (HET) capability. This move marks a pivotal moment for the defence supply chain. HET provides a critical function, delivering heavy armoured vehicles like the Challenger 2 MBT swiftly and safely, without adding undue mileage or strain to their drivetrains.

At the end of May, a group of EKA staff visited MOD Lyneham for a day hosted by the Recovery Training Wing and the REME Museum. REME - the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers - is the British Army corps responsible for keeping equipment in fighting order and includes the highly skilled recovery mechanics who operate many of the platforms EKA supports.

Developing a modern recovery vehicle isn’t just an engineering challenge - it’s a commercial balancing act. From concept to delivery, organisations like EKA must navigate a dense web of regulatory constraints, economic pressures, and legacy procurement practices - all while ensuring the final product performs in the toughest real-world conditions.

EKA Limited, a leading provider of special to role military vehicle systems, has been awarded a multi-million-pound contract by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) to deliver specialist safety and environmental support services for the UK MOD’s fleet of Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) and their supporting Repair and Recovery Vehicles (RRVs).

Modern warfare demands more from military vehicles than ever before. Whether it’s enhanced protection, advanced weapon systems, or modular adaptability, today’s platforms are larger, heavier, and more complex. As vehicle capability increases, recovery systems must evolve to match – not just in strength, but in mobility, adaptability and compliance.

In modern warfare, vehicle mobility is as important as firepower. If an armoured vehicle is immobilised due to mechanical failure or battlefield damage, it can be a strategic liability - not just for the mission, but for the personnel it carries. A stranded vehicle isn’t just an asset out of action; it can put soldiers at risk, making them vulnerable to enemy fire, environmental exposure or supply chain disruptions.