A Belfast-based air defence company has won a multi-million euro contract to supply missiles to South Africa, it was announced today.
It is the first export order won by Thales Air Defence for its short-range Starstreak missile system, which is already in service with British forces.
The Belfast company secured the export deal, believed to be worth some €12.5 million, with South Africa's defence procurement agency Armscor through state-owned defence manufacturer Denel.
The order completes the first phase of South Africa's ground-based air defence programme, which is intended to provide a "fully integrated man-portable and air-droppable air defence capability for South African troops deployed on peace-keeping operations," said Thales.
Commenting on the contract Mr Miller Crawford, Thales chief executive, said: "We are delighted to have secured our first export order for Starstreak.
"The very short range air defence market is extremely competitive but we have always been convinced of the capabilities of this system, as is demonstrated by the success of the system which is already in service with the British Army."
The Starstreak Lightweight Multiple Launchers will be supported by a Page radar system also supplied by Thales.
Thales is a world-leading defence company based in Belfast employing about 600 people.
The three-warhead Starstreak missile is the company's latest system and builds on earlier successful missiles including Blowpipe and Javlin.
PA News