Scottish Industry In Line for Work on New Weapon System for British Army     

24 September 2002

EDINBURGH (24th September 2002) - - - Three companies in Scotland are bidding for work on the British Army’s newest anti-tank weapon system. Raytheon Systems Limited of Glenrothes, Thales Optronics of Glasgow and MB Aerospace of Motherwell are hoping to win contracts from the Javelin Joint Venture Company, which is in a competitive bid to supply its fire-and-forget Javelin weapon system to meet a Ministry of Defence programme known as LFATGWS (Light Forces Anti-Tank Guided Weapon System). The Javelin Joint Venture was set up by the US defence giants Raytheon and Lockheed Martin.

Javelin is a next-generation medium range anti-tank weapon system that has already established its high accuracy and proven reliability in service with US forces. It is currently in operation with the US Army and Marine Corps and if the Ministry of Defence selects this weapon system then a substantial part of the manufacture for the UK requirement would be transferred to this country.

Industry would also benefit from US technological know-how in missile manufacturing being transferred to the UK.

The Javelin Joint Venture is talking to a considerable number of UK companies about participation in the programme, although the region likely to receive most benefit would be Scotland. As well as working on Javelin for the UK, suppliers would also be involved in future buys of Javelin for US forces and participate in the large potential export market for this weapon.

The number of potential jobs in Scotland that would be involved in Javelin is likely to be in excess of 50. This could increase with the knock-on effect to second and third tier suppliers. The total value of Javelin work in the region would be in excess of £20 million with further benefits accruing from future US Army buys and export orders.

Jim Trail, General Manager of Raytheon Systems Limited, Glenrothes, said, “Work on Javelin would give us an exciting opportunity to further expand our important weapons systems activity. We are already recognised as a centre of excellence in this type of work and Javelin would provide us with further job security and business growth.”

Bernie Phimister, Managing Director of MB Aerospace, said: “As part of our overall strategic plan and in recognition of the expected growth within the defence industry, we have recently invested in 60,000 square feet of modern manufacturing space at our Motherwell facility. This contains state of the art machine tools and support equipment and is one of the largest machining facilities in Scotland. Through carefully considered investment and with the support of our parent company, Motherwell Bridge, we undoubtedly have the skills and capabilities required for the Javelin Joint Venture.”

The Javelin Joint Venture will bring the UK defence industry new experience in missile development.

Raytheon is a global technology leader in defence, government, and commercial electronics, and business and special mission aircraft. The company, the world’s largest manufacturer of missile systems, has been a continuous supplier to the UK MOD for over 70 years and has a large indigenous capability in the UK established for over 40 years

Lockheed Martin is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products, and services for government and commercial customers.

Notes to editors

Scottish industry benefited recently from another UK anti-tank guided weapon system when the Ministry of Defence selected the Saab MBT LAW Team to supply UK forces with a lightweight missile system known as NLAW. Scottish members of the MBT LAW Team include: Saab Bofors Dynamics in Glasgow , Raytheon Systems Limited in Glenrothes, MSB in Coatbridge and Nobel Enterprises in Stevenston.

LFATGWS will provide the British Army with the very latest lightweight, medium range anti-armour weapon system. It is a man-portable, fire and forget systems that has a range of up to 2.5 kilometres and which can be fired from within enclosures and confined spaces. It will enter service in 2005 with Rapid Reaction Forces including 16 Air Assault Brigade and 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines

Contact:

Mark Douglas +44 (0)7879 444081