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Thales announces contract for stage 2 of the assessment phase for CVF

22 November 2001

Thales is delighted to announce that it has been awarded a contract by the UK Ministry of Defence for Assessment Phase studies for the future aircraft carrier (CVF). This contract worth £25 million (excl. VAT), will last for 12 months until the Ministry of Defence chooses its contractor, from the two competing consortia. The Thales team will provide substantial details of its design solution to meet the operational and through-life support requirements for this joint defence asset.

Thales as the potential Prime Contractor, is leading a strong team that includes as principal partners:
- Devonport Management Ltd, who will provide commissioning, through life support and ship procurement expertise,
- Lockheed Martin, who, following the award of the JSF programme and their selection as combat system integrator for the next-generation of US aircraft carrier CVN77, will bring this experience to the team,
- Alstom Naval Systems of Rugby who will provide the propulsion and power systems based on solutions already proven in service.

Other partners in the team are BMT Defence Services and Raytheon. The Thales team will ensure that experience gained on large carrier programmes in the US and France will be incorporated into CVF. Thales itself has a successful track record of delivering complex naval programmes to cost and time internationally, and brings expertise in prime contracts, systems integration, avionics and air traffic management.

Thales has developed an innovative shipbuilding strategy that guarantees that design, construction and commissioning will be undertaken exclusively in the UK, making best use of existing shipbuilding assets.

Chief Executive Officer of Thales Plc, Alex Dorrian, commented: "We are very pleased that the Ministry of Defence has placed this important second phase of work with us for this flagship project. We look forward during stage 2 to building on our earlier work in partnership with MoD and ultimately to delivering this strategic asset."

Press contacts:
Thales
Matt Pothecary - Tel: + 33 (1) 1 53 77 86 26
Christelle Girerd - Tel: + 33 1 53 77 85 13
Thales UK
Nick West - Tel: + 44 1 344 388 000