UK Tech Firm Gets £11.5m Military Night Goggles Contract

A UK technology firm has been awarded an £11.5m Ministry of Defence (MOD) contract to supply the Armed Forces with night vision goggles.

Elbit Systems UK, through its Kent-based subsidiary Instro Precision, will supply the lightweight micro binoculars, which are called 'XACT nv33 NVGs', in a helmet-mounted configuration to frontline British military forces.

The contract will be for an initial period of 18 months, with the option for additional follow-on orders over a period of five years. 

The binoculars are designed to improve mission efficiency during dark conditions, with the aim of enabling those wearing them to conduct off-road vehicle driving without headlights.

A number of NATO countries including Germany, the Netherlands and Israel already have XACT products in operational use.

Elbit Systems UK CEO Martin Fausset said: "The XACT nv33 NVGs have already been proven to enhance the operational effectiveness of several militaries around the world.

"We are pleased to extend this to the UK," he said.

Mr Fausset spoke about the inevitability of creating more skilled jobs.

"The manufacturing and delivery of the XACT nv33 NVGs will create more skilled jobs in the UK, growing the local workforce and demonstrating freedom of action and value for money to the UK customer," he added.

Cover image: Elbit Systems UK awarded an £11.5m contract to provide night vision goggles (Picture: Elbit Systems).