ADELAIDE, Australia -- BAE Systems and Kongsberg Protech Systems have signed a teaming agreement to sell and support Kongsberg’s Remote Weapon Stations (RWS) in Australia.

Kongsberg is a market leader in Remote Weapon Stations development and production with more than 10,000 systems sold with deployment in 16 countries, including on the Australian Army’s ASLAV. It also supplies the US Army with RWS through the CROWS II program.

Ian Sharp, Director Land Business Unit, for BAE Systems Australia said, “Kongsberg’s stabilised RWS enables armoured vehicle crews to effectively engage threats while on the move or stationary and all the time protected under armour – a life saving capability in high threat deployments.

“Through this teaming the Australian Defence Force will benefit from comprehensive, responsive and cost effective local support for the Kongsberg RWS originally acquired under an Urgent Operational Requirement,” Mr Sharp said.

Egil Haugsdal, Executive Vice President Kongsberg Protech Systems, said, “Kongsberg looks forward to expanding its global relationship with BAE Systems through this wide ranging RWS agreement for the Australian market. BAE Systems in the US is already a key supplier of uncooled thermal imaging sensors to our US CROWS II program and this agreement will take full advantage of BAE Systems Australia’s comprehensive platform, systems and equipment through life support capabilities.

“Kongsberg will train BAE Systems in the sales, integration, operation, maintenance and support of our expanding range of RWS equipment to provide the necessary expertise and back up in the Australian region. Additional opportunities will be available for BAE Systems to become part of the Kongsberg RWS global supply chain,” Mr Haugsdal said.

A RWS assembly, integration and test facility will be established at BAE Systems Australia’s electro-optic facility at Holden Hill in Adelaide. Heavy grade repairs and calibration of RWS electro-optic sensors, precision mechanisms and electronics will also be conducted at this facility. RWS medium grade repair will be undertaken by BAE Systems at the Albury Wodonga Military Area facility and other customer sites.

BAE Systems combines key skills in engineering and systems integration to provide efficient, value for money solutions that ensure the protection of Australia and its defence forces across the maritime, land, air and security sectors. In Australia, the Company employs 6,100 people who support customers at more than 70 locations.

Kongsberg Gruppen (KONGSBERG) is an internationally-oriented, knowledge-based corporation with more than 4,600 employees in some 25 countries. KONGSBERG supplies high-technology systems to customers engaged in offshore oil and gas production, the merchant marine, and the defence and aerospace industries.

BAE Systems is the premier global defence, security and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. With approximately 105,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems' sales exceeded £18.5 billion (US $34.4 billion) in 2008.

BAE Systems
06.07.2009