GRP in the Defence Industry: A Technical Guide

A Comprehensive Technical Guide for Engineers, Designers and Specifiers.

Defence estates and facilities place unusual demands on materials. Vehicle maintenance facilities, workshops, naval and coastal sites, electronic installations and secure perimeters all need access systems and structures that resist corrosion, remain safe around electrical equipment and perform for decades with minimal maintenance. In many of these environments, non-conductive and non-magnetic properties are as important as strength.

Written by Gavin Williams, Managing Director of Engineered Composites Ltd, a JOSCAR-registered supplier to the defence supply chain, this guide gives engineers, designers and specifiers the working knowledge they need to specify GRP across defence infrastructure with confidence.

The guide moves from material fundamentals through standards, specification and design into practical application on defence sites. It explains how GRP’s corrosion resistance, electrical non-conductivity, non-magnetic behaviour and light weight translate into specification decisions for defence projects.

Application coverage includes access platforms and walkways for vehicle and equipment maintenance, stairs and handrail systems, structural framing, and perimeter security fencing for MOD and critical sites. Installation, inspection and maintenance guidance is included alongside specification, procurement and whole-life cost considerations.

Supporting reference material gives engineers fast access to the property data, standards references and design guidance needed to specify GRP on defence projects.

This book is written for engineers, designers, specifiers, contractors and estate managers working across defence infrastructure and the wider MOD supply chain. It is equally valuable for those approaching GRP for the first time and for experienced professionals who need a dependable reference for property data, design methodology and standards guidance.

Property values and design methods represent current best practice and typical performance from quality manufacturers, cross-referenced against the standards that govern UK specification. The result is a practical reference that helps defence engineers specify GRP correctly and consistently.

This guide is intended to supplement, not replace, the expertise of qualified engineers. All designs must be carried out by suitably qualified professionals in accordance with applicable codes, standards and regulations.

First Edition, 2026. Written by Gavin Williams, Managing Director, Engineered Composites Ltd, Chester, United Kingdom.