BAE Systems Australia locks in $50m guided weapons export contract
11 May 2022
BAE Systems Australia has secured a $50 million export contract to deliver critical hardware and software sub-assemblies into the global Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM) program.
BAE Systems and an expanded network of Australian industry partners will deliver critical sub-assemblies into Block 2 of the ESSM program under a new three-year full rate production contract with Raytheon Missiles & Defense in the United States.
The ESSM is a medium-range, surface-to-air missile developed to protect warships from advanced anti-ship cruise missiles. BAE Systems Australia is the Australian industry lead in the NATO ESSM Consortium which oversees the program of up to 12 nations including the United States, Australia, Canada and Norway.
According to Ben Hudson, BAE Systems Australia chief executive, the company is proud to continue its role in the ESSM program which ensures the protection of naval fleets around the world.
“This contract, alongside our prime contractor role on the Nulka Active Missile Decoy, continues the important work undertaken by our employees and our trusted industry partners across Australia which have been delivering guided weapons capability into domestic and export programs for decades,” Hudson said.
“An established sovereign design and manufacturing capability and network of industry suppliers means we are ready today to extend delivery into more guided weapons programs under the Commonwealth’s Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance Enterprise.”
Source: Defence Connect