The Ministry of Defence has placed a £48 million order for missiles with the French electrical systems firm Thales, for design and manufacture in east Belfast, Northern Ireland.
The future anti-surface guided weapons (light) (FASGW(L)) missiles are being developed to equip the Royal Navy’s new AW159 Wildcat maritime attack helicopters and will be worked on by around 60 people at the Thales factory in Belfast
During a visit to Thales’ factory in Belfast, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology Philip Dunne said:
“This contract is great news for Thales and Northern Ireland. The 60 jobs sustained represent experts in advanced weapons system design and manufacturing, and I am pleased that a similar number of jobs will be sustained throughout the programme’s supply chain.
“I want to give the armed forces the battle-winning equipment they deserve, and this highly-complex weapons system will provide Royal Navy Wildcat helicopters with unparalleled strike capabilities. I take great pride that these missiles are being made in the United Kingdom.”