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).
The contract, which begins in late April 2025 will initially run for three years, with options to extend based on future requirements. It covers the growing fleet of vehicles, both launchers and recovery vehicles – and marks a key milestone in EKA’s continued growth and diversification strategy.
EKA also provides design, manufacturing and through-life support services for a wide range of defence applications. Its expertise includes vehicle-mounted systems, recovery systems and associated equipment, integrated winches, and engineering solutions for specialist vehicle systems.
MLRS and RRV – Download high res’ image
Delivered in partnership with System Design Evaluation Ltd (SDE) – whose core business is the impartial assessment, design, development and safety management of platforms, munitions and weapon systems – the programme will see EKA take on the role of primary contractor, supporting ongoing safety and environmental assurance for both fleets.
Scope of work includes hazard identification and analysis, risk evaluation, human factors integration, and the preparation of safety documentation in line with Def Stan 00-56 and associated MOD safety regulations. Outputs will support platform approvals and be formally reviewed through the MOD’s Safety and Environmental Management Panels (SEMPs), which oversee compliance and risk across the fleet lifecycle.
EKA was selected based on its deep technical expertise, system-level thinking, and proven delivery in defence engineering. The company has previously led winch system upgrades for the RRV, is leading the development of the A2 RRV variant, and provided through-life support across three generations of military recovery vehicles. Its ability to respond rapidly, remain compliant, and align with MOD and NSPA processes made it a natural choice for this contract.
“This award reflects the confidence that both NSPA and MOD have in our people, our approach, and the value we bring as a UK-based SME,” said Michael Keech, Managing Director at EKA. “While recovery platforms will always be part of our DNA, this contract shows how our core values – capability, value for money and customer focus – translate across the wider defence space. We’ve earned a reputation for doing what works in the real world, and we’re ready to apply that to even more complex challenges.”
He added: “This isn’t just compliance for compliance’s sake. It’s about making sure vehicles and people can perform safely and reliably, whatever the mission demands.”
Gordon Storey, CEO of SDE, said: “We’re proud to be working alongside EKA on this programme. Safety and environmental assurance must be thorough, consistent, and transparent – especially on platforms where risk profiles change over time. Our role is to make sure that assurance holds up in the real world, not just on paper.”
The contract builds on EKA’s and SDE’s previous support to NSPA on the MLRS B1 and A2 RRV configurations, and its role as design agent for the next-generation A2 platform.
It is one of EKA’s most significant NATO-awarded contracts to date and reinforces the value that agile, expert-led UK teams can bring to multinational defence programmes. EKA is committed to supporting operational readiness with proven capability, adaptable systems, and real-world engineering.
