Thales and MBDA Meteor seeker contract
26 June 2003
MBDA and Thales Airborne Systems signed today a contract valued at ' 46 million covering the development and initial production of the seeker system for METEOR, the future Beyond Visual Range Air to Air Missile (BVRAAM). This contract formalises the cooperation agreement already in place between the two companies in the area of anti-aircraft missile seekers. Initial production will meet the requirements of the UK Royal Air Force.
Under the terms of the contract, signed at the Paris Airshow in Le Bourget by Sandro Pazzini, Managing Director of MBDA Italy and Gérard Christmann, Managing Director of Thales Airborne Systems' Missile Electronics Division, Thales Airborne Sytems and MBDA Seeker Division will supply several hundred seekers.
With regard to the contract, Thales will contribute its experience and capabilities whilst participating in definition studies led by MBDA Seeker Division and will produce four sub assemblies representing approximately 35% of the seeker.
The METEOR programme will significantly advance the family of 4A seekers (Active Anti-Air Seeker) equipping missile families such as Mica, ASTER and METEOR.
In June 2002, MBDA and Thales signed an agreement combining their capabilities to develop and produce seekers for anti-aircraft missiles. In total, MBDA and Thales will produce seekers for more than 6,000 missiles. The seeker is an essential component determining a missile's performance.
The METEOR missile will equip all of Europe's combat aircraft, the French Rafale, the Swedish Gripen and the Eurofighter developed by Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK.
Marwan Lahoud, Chief Executive Officer of MBDA, stated during the signing of the contract: "The Meteor missile is now well under way, the European team has been established and the various sub assembly supply contracts have been signed in line with the initial development and production timetable."
José Massol, Chief Executive Officer of Thales Airborne Systems, said: "This contract is evidence of the growth in European cooperation in the field of seekers which commenced in 1989 between France, Italy and UK."
Notes to editors:
MBDA is Europe's leading missile systems company. Possessing a fully comprehensive range of land-based, naval and airborne guided weapon systems, MBDA is ideally positioned to satisfy the requirements of each of the armed services.
With an annual turnover exceeding ' 2 billion, a forward order book of ' 14 billion and over 70 customers world wide, MBDA is a world leading, global missile systems company. MBDA currently has 45 missile system and countermeasure programmes in operational service and has proven its ability as prime contractor to head major multi-national projects.
MBDA is jointly owned by BAE SYSTEMS (37.5%), EADS (37.5%) and FINMECCANICA (25%), with equal rights.
Thales is the European leader in naval, airborne and ground based electronic defence systems, onboard mission systems, onboard radars and missile electronics.
Thales is one of the world's largest specialists in professional electronics and is well placed in three major markets: aeronautics, defence and IT. The group employs 65,000 people in nearly 50 countries around the world. In 2002, turnover increased to over 11 bn euros, of which 77% was export.
For further information please contact:
Carol Reed (MBDA)
Tel: +44 20 7451 6099
Mobile: +44 7764 323453
Fax: +44 20 7451 6089
E-mail: carol.reed@mbda.co.uk
Monique Navarra (Thales)
Tel : + 33 (0) 1 34 81 40 50
Mobile : +33 (0) 6 11 43 23 47
Fax : + 33 (0) 1 34 81 40 24
E-mail : monique.navarra@fr.thalesgroup.com
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