New Controlled Humidity Storage Facility Enhances UK Army's Operational Readiness

The Ministry of Defence has completed construction of a major new vehicle storage facility at MOD Ashchurch in Gloucestershire, significantly boosting the British Army's ability to maintain its fleet in optimal condition.

State-of-the-Art Storage for 900+ Military Vehicles

The newly completed 25,300-square-meter facility—equivalent to approximately five football pitches—can house more than 900 military vehicles under controlled environmental conditions. This represents the fifth building completed under the wider Vehicle Storage and Support Programme (VSSP), which aims to modernise the Army's storage and maintenance capabilities.

At the heart of the new facility is the Controlled Humidity Environment (CHE) technology, which protects vehicles from extreme temperature fluctuations that can lead to accelerated deterioration and increased maintenance costs. By maintaining optimal humidity levels, the facility significantly extends the operational lifespan of stored equipment.

Modernising a Historic Site

The Ashchurch depot has a long and storied history, having originally been expanded during World War II as a major transit store for US forces preparing for D-Day operations. For decades, the site suffered from deteriorating infrastructure, with many vehicles stored in ageing sheds with leaking roofs and poor environmental controls.

"Working within a live military environment presents unique challenges, but through close collaboration with site personnel, we were able to maintain their operations while continuing to deliver this significant infrastructure project on schedule," said Terry Muckian, Skanska Executive Vice President.

The transformation of Ashchurch comes after years of uncertainty about the site's future. At one point, it was slated for closure and residential redevelopment, a decision that would have significantly impacted the Army's storage capabilities and required substantial relocation of assets.

A Workforce Transformation

The completion of this facility represents not just an upgrade in physical infrastructure but also a significant evolution in how the British Army manages and maintains its vehicle fleet. Modern storage facilities require differently skilled personnel compared to the traditional workforce at Ashchurch.

Graham Seage, Director of Defence and National Security at Mace, highlighted the comprehensive approach: "The level of collaboration across all partners to reach this milestone has been first rate and, importantly, has extended to teams working across the wider defence estate, drawing on lessons and experience from around the DIO portfolio to drive efficiencies and innovations."

Defence industry analyst Colonel Richard Thompson (ret.) commented on the workplace implications: "This facility represents a generational shift in how we approach equipment care. Where previously we needed large numbers of maintenance personnel constantly battling deterioration, we now require fewer but more technically skilled staff managing sophisticated environmental systems. It's a different skill profile that presents both challenges and opportunities for workforce development."

The MoD has initiated specialised training programmes for existing personnel to transition to these higher-skilled roles, ensuring the expertise needed to operate the facility is developed internally rather than outsourced.

Sustainability and Efficiency

The new facility adheres to the latest sustainability standards and supports the Army's contribution to government net-zero targets, with provisions for on-site solar energy generation. This emphasis on environmental responsibility extends beyond reducing carbon emissions to improving the overall efficiency of the Army's logistics chain.

Belinda Lunn, Senior Responsible Owner of VSSP, described the handover of the facility as "a fantastic milestone in our programme to deliver this exceptional facility for the Field Army," adding that it "represents a step change in the capability of the site."

The overall VSSP programme will deliver 13 new buildings while demolishing 58 older structures and renewing site-wide infrastructure. The programme is due for completion in 2027, with MOD Ashchurch continuing to serve as a critical hub for the Army's equipment management strategy.

As international tensions continue to rise and the strategic importance of rapid military readiness grows, investments in infrastructure like the Ashchurch facility demonstrate a renewed focus on ensuring the British Army can deploy its vehicle fleet effectively when needed, while maintaining it efficiently during periods of storage.

The success of this project may serve as a template for similar facilities across the defence estate, creating a new standard for military equipment storage that balances operational requirements with environmental responsibility and workforce development.