Thales to build Kongsberg remote weapons stations in UK
08 September 2009
DSEi – 8 September 2009 - Thales UK and Kongsberg Protech Systems of Norway today announce the signing of a UK licensed manufacture agreement for Kongsberg’s Protector remote weapons station (RWS).
The agreement enables Thales to manufacture both the Protector and Protector Lite RWSs for its UK customers, in addition to manufacturing selected modules of each system to support Kongsberg’s international market requirements.
The Protector RWS is a remotely controlled weapons station for light- and medium-calibre weapons for installation on any type of vehicle. More than 5,000 Protector RWS systems have been delivered to 16 nations around the world, including successful deployment by Kongsberg into the US Stryker vehicle programme. Another 7,000 units have been ordered on fixed or framework contracts.
The agreement is an expansion of the existing Thales-Kongsberg teaming agreement, announced at DSEi in 2007, and will lead to Thales UK establishing a dedicated manufacturing facility at its optronics site in Glasgow. Work on setting up this facility is well under way. This will provide Thales’s UK customers with a domestic production line and through-life support, offering shortened lead times, providing cost savings and rapid support, all geared towards optimising product availability and sustainability.
The first customer to benefit from the Thales/Kongsberg licensing agreement will be the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) in support of the Talisman route-proving and clearance programme.
Alex Cresswell, Managing Director of Thales UK’s land & joint systems business, says: “This agreement consolidates the position of Thales UK as the leading UK company for the manufacture and cost-effective support of sensors, sights and integrated situational awareness systems for armoured fighting vehicles.”
Egil Haugsdal, Executive Vice President of Kongsberg Protech Systems, says: “With the Protector RWS, Kongsberg has developed mature, proven, competitive technology. The agreement will enable Thales UK to provide its UK customers with a truly world-class product in what is becoming an increasingly competitive market.”
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About Thales and Thales UK
Thales is a global technology leader for the Aerospace, Space, Defence, Security and Transportation markets. In 2008 the company generated revenues of £10.2 billion, with 68,000 employees in 50 countries. With its 25,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and deploy equipment, systems and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world working with customers as local partners.
Thales UK employs 8,500 staff based at more than 40 locations. In 2008 Thales UK's revenues were over £1.4 bn.
About Kongsberg
The Kongsberg Group is Norway's premier supplier of high-technology defence systems. A key part of their business includes anti-ship missiles, command and weapons control systems, and communication systems. Kongsberg has established a position as a world leader in the development and manufacture of remote weapon stations (RWS), with the Protector RWS family now recognised around the world as the leading contender.
Kongsberg Protech Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Kongsberg Group. In 2008, Kongsberg Group’s revenues were NOK 11 bn with 5,300 employees in more than 26 countries.
Press contacts:
Thales UK
Kathryn Bell
Mob: +44 7813 903274
Email: kathryn.bell@thalesgroup.com
Thales UK, Land & Joint Systems
Paul Mottershead
Mob: +44 (0)7711 039095
Email: paul.mottershead@uk.thalesgroup.com
www.thalesgroup.com/uk
Kongsberg Protech Systems
Egil Haugsdal
Tel: +47 9206 0027
Email: egil.haugsdal@kongsberg.com
www.kongsberg.com
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