Thales UK signs new NLAW contract
16 March 2006
This follows a contract won by Saab Bofors Dynamics in December 2005 from the Swedish Materiel Administration for the Next Generation Light Antitank Weapon (NLAW) system totalling SEK500m (£36.3m).
Thales UK's Belfast facility is Saab Bofors Dynamics principle UK partner in the programme to supply both the British and Swedish Armies with the NLAW system. The missiles will be assembled and tested in Northern Ireland in a high volume production line using capabilities and expertise gained through similar missile programmes such as Starstreak, Hellfire and VT1. Thales UK's facility in Basingstoke is also a key member of Team NLAW, assembling two key parts of the missile, the centre electronic package and Optical Sensor. The UK contract for NLAW was signed in 2002 and this contract with Sweden provides another important reference in the market for this system.
Alex Dorrian, CEO of Thales UK said: "This contract builds on this important programme and our key partnership with Saab Bofors Dynamics and Team NLAW. We are particularly pleased as this comes following our successful work on the UK NLAW programme."
NLAW is a lightweight, short-range anti-tank missile designed to engage main battle tanks and other fighting vehicles up to a range of 600m. It can be deployed in open warfare or urban environments and can defeat static and mobile targets. The agreement with Saab Bofors Dynamics ensures that Thales UK will be responsible for the manufacture of export of the NLAW system for the foreseeable future.
About Thales UK
Thales UK is a major electronics and systems group serving defence, aerospace, security and services markets. Thales employs 10,000 staff in the UK and 60,000 people in 50 countries. In 2004, Thales UK's revenues were £1.1bn.
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