US engineering firm KBR has taken over Carillion's stake of its Aspire Defence joint venture (JV).

Aspire provides high quality design, construction and base support services to the British Army for living and working accommodations. Since 2006, KBR has supported the UK Ministry of Defence on Project Allenby Connaught through the JV.

The deal will see KBR assume operational control of the JV following Carillion's collapse in January. Former Carillion staff will be hired, while normal business operations will be maintained without disruption to the delivery of services or performance.

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KBR said with more than 22 years remaining on the Aspire contract, the acquisition "provides KBR with enduring, stable and profitable backlog".

Stuart Bradie, KBR President and Chief Executive Officer, said: "This acquisition and our commitment to maintain the stability of the project strengthens KBR's long-standing relationship with the UK MOD as a core client.

"KBR has spent more than 12 years delivering this program to re-house soldiers into fit for purpose accommodation and working facilities.

"We look forward to continuing to provide market-leading construction and long-term maintenance services in support of the Army Basing Programme within the Project Allenby Connaught footprint and to provide base support services across Salisbury Plain and Aldershot garrisons.

"This project underpins our long term relationship with the MOD whether at the home base, providing deployed operational support or acting as an integrator of complex defense equipment and systems."

(LM)