Navy

£48 Million Jobs Boost For Belfast

More than 60 jobs will be protected thanks to a £48 million contract to design and manufacture a new missile for the Royal Navy’s attack helicopters, Defence Minister Philip Dunne MP announced today during a visit to Thales’ factory in Belfast.

The contract to build Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapons Light (FASGW (L)) missiles will sustain around 60 expert jobs in advanced weapons system design and manufacturing, with a similar number of jobs protected throughout the programme’s supply chain.

The Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapons Light (FASGW (L)) programme will equip the Royal Navy’s new AW159 Wildcat Maritime Attack helicopters with Thales’ Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM). The missiles are capable of attacking small boats, fast attack craft and other targets.

During a visit to Thales’ factory in Belfast, Minister for Defence, Equipment Support and Technology, Philip Dunne MP 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 weapon 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.”

The FASGW (L) contract follows the contract award to MBDA in March 2014 to provide the joint UK/France FASGW (Heavy) capability, which will also be fitted to the Wildcat to defend against larger targets. Together, the two new weapons will replace the current Sea Skua missile.

Director Weapons Laurence Bryant, whose team was in charge of procuring FASGFW (L), said:

“This contract is the result of a great deal of hard work between the MoD and Thales and brings us a step closer to providing the Royal Navy with a highly sophisticated weapons system for the future.”

Pictured: CGI of Royal Navy Wildcat helicopter fitted with Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapons Light (FASGW (L)) missiles