BAE wins £16.8m artillery shells contract
DEFENCE giant BAE Systems was glowing yesterday as it sealed a £16.8million deal with the Ministry of Defence to make artillery shells.
BAE said it will immediately begin producing the 105mm illuminating white and infrared shells, known as L43A5, at its factory in Karlskoga, Sweden, with the rounds set to be delivered between 2014 and 2016.
This award builds on more than 45 years of illuminating shell development
The shells, which have a pyro-technic device to help forces identify enemy positions during night-time operations, can be fired from the 105mm light gun in service with the UK and many other armed forces around the world.
Upon completion of the contract BAE will have delivered more than 60,000 rounds of illuminating artillery shells to the MOD.
Lena Gillstrom, managing director of BAE’s Weapon Systems business in Sweden, said: “This award builds on more than 45 years of illuminating shell development.”