Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin has announced the award of an £82M Surveillance Target and Acquisition Support (STAS) contract to north Wales-based Qioptiq.
The Minister took the opportunity to highlight Welsh innovation on the global stage by announcing the contract whilst supporting UK companies and promoting developing closer links with industry in the Gulf at the IDEX trade show in Abu Dhabi.
Qioptiq provide support for vital surveillance and targeting equipment to UK Armed Forces. This deal will see maintenance support provided to equipment across the Armed Forces, from battle-winning handheld equipment – including night-vision goggles and day and night weapon sights, to infantry periscopes, laser aimers and target locating equipment.
Speaking at the IDEX trade show, Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin said: “It’s a pleasure to announce this £82 million contract here at IDEX. This deal will provide our troops with the equipment they need to stay safe, while also delivering £47M of savings.
“This contract is made possible by our £178Bn equipment plan, supported by a Defence budget that will rise every year until the end of the decade.”
This contract follows hot on the heels of the announcement that the F-35 global repair hub will also be based in North Wales, really putting the region on the defence map and providing millions of investment into the region.
In order to provide further savings to the taxpayer, the new contract merges several individual contracts into one deal, with the MOD will saving £47M over the next six years.
Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns said: “This massive contract for Qioptiq underlines Wales’ reputation as a world leader in the defence technology sector, coming hot on the heels of the choice of DECA Sealand as the global repair hub for the F35 aircraft.
“This enormous vote on confidence in the Welsh economy demonstrates that we offer the highly skilled workforce and facilities that investors need. It is also clearly great news for employment in the region.”
Chief Executive Officer of the MOD’s Defence Equipment and Support organisation, Tony Douglas said: “This new deal with Qioptiq has reduced costs by a third, demonstrating how we are constantly striving to build innovation and value into Defence procurement and support. Crucially, the STAS contract, will deliver improved support to Her Majesty’s Armed Forces.”
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F-35 Gulf Harriett Baldwin IDeX MOD Qioptiq Wales
Post written by: Vicky Maggiani
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