MoD to recruit 12,500 Getac tablets for front-line service

Ministry to pay £30m for provision of technology

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has paid £30m to information assurance specialist and reseller SBL for 12,500 rugged tablet PCs.

The reseller is also responsible for encryption, software, licences and the delivery of a service level agreement (SLA).

The tablet PCs are made by Getac and will be used by soldiers in the front line.

The tablet PCs are PGP encrypted – an encryption type that has been agreed by the government – and they have been tested to perform in military environments.

SBL will also provide a dedicated 24-hour helpdesk support team with access to around-the-clock assistance; this will be in addition to in-house installation, configuration and maintenance from SBL.

This contract is an extension of a deal the MoD struck with SBL to supply encrypted products, licences and maintenance.

It also retained its position on an ISS Framework set up in May 2010 for the supply of Information Assurance products and services, specifically including cryptographic solutions of Impact Levels 3 and above.

The manufacturer Getac is able to customise its solutions.