Starstreak Missile Export Success
20 May 2003
Thales Air Defence Limited today announced their first multi-million pound export order for their Starstreak missile sytem. The order is to satisfy the Republic of South Africa's first phase of their Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) programme - Local Warning Segment (LWS). This phase is intended to provide a fully integrated manportable and air droppable air defence capability for South African troops deployed on peace-keeping operations.
Armscor announced that they had placed a contract with Denel as the preferred Prime Contractor in December 2002. Subsequent to this, Thales has now successfully completed their negotiations with Kentron - the missile house subcontracted by Denel to provide the VSHORAD weapon.
The Starstreak Lightweight Multiple Launchers will be supported by the Page radar systems also supplied by Thales. Speaking from the Thales Air Defence headquarters in Belfast the Chief Executive Officer, Millar Crawford said, "Obviously we are delighted to announce our first export order for Starstreak. The Very Short Range Air Defence market is extremely competitive but we have always been convinced of the capabilities of this system, as is demonstrated by the success of the system which is already in service with the British Army. I am sure that this will be the start of a long and mutually beneficial relationship with the South African Defence Forces, as their GBAD requirements evolve over the coming years."
Based in Belfast and employing approximately 600 people, Thales Air Defence Ltd is the leading defence manufacturer in Northern Ireland. Within the Thales Group, Thales Air Defence is recognised as the centre of excellence for missile design and manufacturing within the Group.
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