THALES : 56 Million€ contract FASGW(L)

USPA NEWS - Philip Dunne, Secretary of State for Defence Equipment, Thales announces the awarding of a contract for 56 million euros (48 million pounds) by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the development and manufacture light anti-ship system FASGW (L).

Philip Dunne, British Secretary of State for Defence Equipment " This contract is great news for Thales and Northern Ireland. 60 jobs involved represent a remarkable expertise in design and manufacturing of advanced weapons systems, and I am very pleased to see the same number of jobs perpetuated at all levels of the supply chain program.
I want to provide the armed forces of the equipment they need on the operating theaters, and this system will enable sophisticated weapons Wildcat helicopters of the Royal Navy to benefit from unrivaled capabilities. I am of course very proud that these missiles are manufactured in the United Kingdom. "

The contract covers the development, qualification and integration of anti-ship system FASGW light (L) (Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon - Light), which includes a five-tube launcher and a laser guidance system, designed to equip Agusta Westland AW159 helicopter Wildcat. Provision of equipment deployable test is also part of the contract.
FASGW the system (L) use the lightweight multirole missile (LMM) of Thales. This precision missile can be fired from various tactical platforms land, sea and air. It will allow the Royal Navy to have versatile abilities strikes, fast deployment and high efficiency to counter threats posed by small vessels and fast patrol boats.

This announcement was made during a visit by Secretary of State on the Thales site at Belfast, where the missile LMM and FASGW system will be produced. This significant contract will support 60 jobs on the site, and provide additional opportunities for partners in the supply chain in Britain but also on the continent.
Accompanied by Victor Chavez, CEO of Thales UK, and David Beatty, Vice President in charge of advanced weapons systems from Thales UK, Philip Dunne was able to tour the facilities and benefit from detailed explanations technologies, products and to the site of Thales.

The LMM is the first lightweight missile in the world designed to be built on land and naval tactical air platforms, and a strong interest in the world thanks to its capabilities. This agreement adds a new dynamic for the implementation of the French group Thales, under the leadership of MoD confidence providing very innovative advanced weapons system.

Thales is a global technology leader for markets of the Aerospace, Transportation Defense and Security. With 65,000 employees in 56 countries, Thales has completed in 2013 a number sales of 14.2 billion euros. With 25,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to develop and deploy equipment, systems and services to meet the needs of more complex safety. Victor Chavez CEO of Thales UK has moreover concluded "We welcome course of the award of this contract allowing the Royal Navy to use advanced capabilities to counter conventional and asymmetric threats"
The Ministry of Defence granted confidence to Thales, leads to French-British cooperation based on trust and upon a strongly sophisticated military weapons of high level.