HIGHLIGHTS
Contract for serial production of the new Naval Strike Missile
A contract for serial production of the new naval strike missile (NSM) was signed with the Armed Forces' Logistics Organisation in June. The NSM will be the main weapon on the Nansen Class frigates and the Skjold Class missile torpedo boats, and production will extend up to 2014. The contract entailed new orders worth approx. NOK 2.5 billion, and it is an important reference with a view to export opportunities. Several countries have indicated interest in the NSM.
NOK 8 billion framework agreement with the US Army
Against keen international competition, in August, KONGSBERG was awarded a framework agreement for weapon control systems for the US Army's CROWS (Common Remotely Operated Weapon Stations) programme. CROWS is a joint procurement programme for weapon control systems for the US Army's personnel carrier programmes. The agreement has a framework of approx. NOK 8 billion and a duration of five years, and it reaffirms our position as the world's leading supplier of this type of weapon control systems.
Strong influx of new orders for weapon control systems
New orders for KONGSBERG's weapon control system designed for armoured personnel carriers added up to no less than NOK 2.9 billion in 2007. The system has been sold to 11 countries: USA, Canada, Australia, Finland, Norway, Ireland, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Portugal, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, making KONGSBERG the world leader in this market. Altogether, contracts worth NOK 5.2 billion have been signed since the first delivery in 2000.
Investing in new industrial buildings
KONGSBERG is investing approx. MNOK 900 in facilities in Kongsberg covering approx. 30 000 m2 for composite and advanced engineering production. The plant is being built to prepare for offset agreements related to the purchase of new Norwegian fighter craft. The Norwegian Government has furnished a State guarantee that will be triggered in the event the Norwegian authorities choose not to purchase new fighter craft. Once the plant is in full operation in about seven years, it will accommodate 350 employees.
Contract with the Finnish Navy
In Q1, Kongsberg Maritime and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace concluded a contract with the Finnish Navy worth roughly MNOK 200. The contract is for hydrographic equipment and systems integration. Among other things, the equipment is designed to detect and destroy sea mines, and it will be deployed on the Finnish Navy's new mine clearance vessels. This is an important reference contract for KONGSBERG in the field of sea mine detection equipment.
