Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace And Lockheed Martin Sign Comprehensive Agreement Regarding Norwegian Navy's New Frigates
Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace (KDA) and Lockheed Martin have reached agreement on a comprehensive set of contracts covering KDA's deliveries for the Norwegian Navy's new frigates, as well as a long-term co-operation agreement aimed at the marketing and sale of the Norwegian solution to international frigate customers.
The agreement will enter into force on the proviso that the Royal Norwegian Navy Materiel Command awards Bazan/Lockheed Martin (LM) the contract for the new frigates.
Provided Bazan/LM lands the Navy contract, KDA will be awarded a contract worth MNOK 810. It is expected that the total agreement could result in contracts worth as much as MNOK 2,000 for KDA over a 10-year period.
"The long-term co-operation agreement represents an important step for KDA in establishing a lasting alliance with the Lockheed Martin corporation, one of the world's largest defence enterprises", observes Tom Gerhardsen, president of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.
Today's agreement is a formalisation of the agreement in principle signed with Lockheed Martin this past June.
Provided Bazan/Lockheed Martin is awarded the contract, KDA will help develop and supply the following equipment for the Norwegian Navy's frigates: **Sub-systems for monitoring submarines and for anti-submarine activities, **Sub-systems for monitoring surface vessels and for anti-ship activities.
KDA's deliveries to the frigate project could be expanded into other areas as well, depending on the details of the Navy's specifications and needs, as well as on the outcome of further negotiations between the parties involved.
The partial system for monitoring submarines and anti-submarine activities is a high-priority area for KDA as it would be involve developing further the technology and expertise built up at KDA through the company's deliveries for Norwegian, Germany and Italian submarines. If all goes according to plan, the Kongsberg company Simrad AS would also be providing sonar equipment.
The other part of the potential KDA contract includes the integration of NSM, the Navy's new anti-ship missile, into the frigate's command and weapons control system. NSM is currently under development at KDA under a separate contract (signed in December 1996).
Orders destined for the Norwegian Navy frigates would provide jobs for approximately 80 people for a period of five years.
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Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace And Lockheed Martin Sign Comprehensive Agreement Regarding Norwegian Navy's New Frigates
