Newly formed British Aerospace Defence Systems Group has secured an early success for its naval business with the award of a key order from the Korean navy. The Group's Land & Sea Systems business will develop and produce a combat management system, which is critical to the performance of any modern warship, for three Batch 2 KDX destroyers in a £46 million deal. The order is the second from the Koreans and follows the excellent performance achieved on the initial prime contract, which was completed to time and specification in May last year. This covered the supply and integration of the SSCS combat management system, fire control and associated radars and combat system databus. The Batch 2 KDX is a larger ship - 5,000 tons - with a longer-range anti-air missile system, enhanced anti-submarine warfare and all-round self-defence capabilities, requiring an expanded combat management system. The new contract extends SSCS ability to manage more than 40 leading world market combat system equipments backed up by a vast suite of in-service applications software including advanced long-range anti-air warfare capabilities. The open nature of the system ensures that the most up-to-date technology can be used by BAe customers in Korea and elsewhere. Roger Barnes, managing director Sea Systems in Land & Sea Systems, said: "This significant follow-on order continues our work in Korea and places us in a strong position for future combat system orders both in the UK and overseas. I have been impressed with what has been achieved so far and am grateful for the strong support from the British Government and Royal Navy." Rear Admiral John Tolhurst, military deputy to the head of the UK Government's Defence Export Services Organisation, said: "British Aerospace well deserves this important contract for the KDX Batch 2 destroyer. It will continue the close relationship which the UK enjoys with the Republic of Korea and with its rapidly expanding navy."
