Missile firm wins defence contract

The former subsidiary of Aerospace company Shorts Bombardier will supply front line forces with advanced air defence ‘Starstreak’ High Velocity Missiles.

The company, which currently has 550 employees in Northern Ireland, confirmed the £180m (€271.5m) contract would secure more than 80 production line jobs.

Delivery of the HMV missiles will begin in 2007.

Defence Procurement Minister Lord Bach said the contract would ensure that British troops were provided with the most advanced short range air defence weapons available.

“The Starstreak is an exceptionally capable weapon which will give our troops a potent defence against a wide range of aerial threats both now and in the future.

“I am also delighted to note that the project will underpin an important production capability and support many jobs in the UK,” he added.

Thales managing director Miles Crawford said: “This major contract will help to sustain the core production capabilities of our business in Belfast and it will also be welcome news for the company’s high quality supply chain in Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom.”

The Chief Executive Officer of Thales UK Alex Dorrian said the contract demonstrated the confidence and belief the MOD has in the weapons system.

“Starstreak is uniquely capable and this contract further emphasises the pivotal role this system plays in UK Ground Based Air Defence Plans.”

The missiles, which can be shoulder-launched, tripod-launched or fired from vehicles, are the Army’s main weapon against helicopters, cruise missiles and low flying aircraft.

They have been in use with the military since 1995.

The contract announced today ensures that the Army’s ground forces maintain their ground-to-air missile capability until 2020.