BASE - British Aerospace Systems and Equipment - has been awarded a £17 million contract to supply navigation and control system instruments for the UK Ministry of Defence's latest buy of Rapier anti aircraft missiles.
The contract was secured following negotiations with the MoD and the prime contractor - Matra BAe Dynamics. As a part of the negotiations, BASE and the MoD's Specialist Procurement Services worked together to ensure value for money in public spending as part of the MoD's Smart Procurement Policy.
Work on the programme begins at BASE, Plymouth site almost immediately. Deliveries start in March 2001, and the contract will be completed in August 2006.
Rapier missiles have been in service since 1970 and saw active service in the Falklands conflict. Since its original introduction it has undergone a series of fundamental upgrades and improvements. The latest standard of missile is the Rapier Mk2B. In all, Rapier missile systems are now in service with the armed forces of eight countries worldwide.
BASE is a European leader in high technology aerospace and defence engineering, specialising in motion sensing, electro-optical systems, radomes and navigation.
(This award is distinct from the 200 million pound contract awarded Nov. 9 by the UK Defence Procurement Agency to Matra BAe Dynamics, also regarding the Rapier missile program--Editor )
