CONTRACT NEWS IN BRIEF
EUROPE
LAND
22 Jul 08. Launched on 1 April 2008 following the merger of ABRO and DARA business units, the Defence Support Group (DSG) recently secured its first major MoD contract. Awarded for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of military vehicles and land equipments, the contract runs for five years through to 31 March 2013 and is valued at around £875M. The work will see DSG carry out scheduled maintenance and base overhaul of vehicles and equipments through programme load activities. It will also cover unscheduled maintenance through the Land, Strike and Fleet district load activities.
17 Jul 08. Frazer-Nash, has been contracted to work with prime contractor, JUNGHANS Microtec, on the development of the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) new Artillery Fuzing System (AFS). Following an MoD decision to use only ‘insensitive’ energetic materials, and coupled with a current stockpile that is coming to the end of its useful service life, the AFS will include two new fuzes and a fuze setter for future 105mm and 155mm artillery munitions, replacing the current in-service fuzing system. Frazer-Nash will provide programme support management to develop and deliver the new technology to the MoD’s specified requirements. Among its responsibilities, Frazer-Nash will advise on a range of support areas including hazard identification and safety management; environmental impact assessment and audit; through-life support and supply chain requirements; and risk management for the AFS programme. The contract covers a 20-month period until first delivery in December 2009.
SEA
17 Jul 08. Croatia on July 17 signed a €10m ($16m) deal with Finnish company Patria to buy two second-hand guided missile frigates, national radio reported. The purchase of the two 22-year-old Helsinki class ships is part of Croatia’s efforts to modernize its fleet in order to bring it into line with NATO standards. (Source: Defense News)
22 Jul 08. German shipyard HDW-MFI has won an approximately $4bn contract from the Turkish government to build and supply six submarines. The decision was announced July 22 by Turkish Defense Minister Vecdi Gonul after a meeting of Turkey’s Defense Industry Executive Committee, which oversees ultimate procurement decisions. (Source: Defense News)
AIR
17 Jul 08. Cobham’s Aviation Services Division (CAvS) has been selected by AgustaWestland as an Approved Supplier and Strategic Partner on the UK MoD’s programme known as the ‘Joint Modification Service’ (JMS). This announcement is in line with the Government’s Defence Industrial Strategy to ensure that the UK supply chain benefits from strategic partnering agreements with UK prime contractors such as AgustaWestland. This is significant development for CAvS building on extensive experience modifying rotorcraft for the Defence Helicopter Flying School at its Bournemouth International Airport facility. CAvS has been selected to perform the embodiment and development packages of work under the guidance of AgustaWestland who remains the prime contractor for JMS.
14 Jul 08. MB Faber Ltd, one of the main subsidiaries of MB Aerospace Holdings Ltd, announced details of a contract worth in excess of £1m which will see it support the development of Europe’s latest military transport aircraft. The company has been appointed by Airbus UK to design and build operational tooling for building wings for the new A400M military transport aircraft at Airbus UK’s Filton plant in Bristol.
22 Jul 08. Signature Industries Limited has signed a contract valued at £1.2m with Armasuisse, the Swiss defence procurement agency, to supply SARBE Personal Locator Beacons to the Swiss Air Force. The Company will supply its high-performance SARBE 6-406G Personal Locator Beacon along with associated spares, support equipment and training. The latest generation 406MHz and GPS PLB will become part of the standard survival equipment carried by aircrews operating fixed and ro