CKO Ltd has announced the successful completion of the first R5-to-Vi5 upgrades on vehicles operated by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), marking a significant milestone in the service’s ongoing vehicle communications modernisation programme.

The initial installations represent the first phase of a wider fleet upgrade programme, bringing the latest generation of mission-critical vehicle communications technology to Scotland’s fire and rescue operations.

At the centre of the upgrade is CKO’s new Vi5 Fixed Vehicle Device (FVD) solution, which builds on the established R5 platform and incorporates the latest Qualcomm chipset technology. The enhanced solution is designed to deliver improved system capabilities, high-speed secure data connectivity and support for the evolving requirements of next-generation Mission Critical Communications (MCX).

The first installations were completed at Scottish Fire and Rescue Service’s headquarters in Cambuslang. CKO engineer Ali Agharezaei worked closely with the SFRS Fleet Engineering team throughout the installation process, ensuring the successful integration of the upgraded systems into the service’s operational vehicles.

CKO acknowledged the contribution of the SFRS Fleet Engineering team for their close cooperation and technical support, alongside its specialist antenna partners, whose work helped optimise connectivity and overall system performance.

The transition from R5 to Vi5 represents an important evolution of the existing vehicle communications platform, enabling emergency response organisations to build on their current infrastructure while preparing for increasingly connected, data-driven operational environments.

With the initial installations successfully completed, CKO will continue working alongside Scottish Fire and Rescue Service to progress the wider fleet rollout, supporting its long-term ambitions for modern, reliable and future-ready emergency vehicle communications.