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United Kingdom : Qioptiq wins 82m contract to maintain night-vision goggles and weapon sights for the Ministry of Defence (MoD)
Publish Date : 23-Feb-2017
North Wales-based Qioptiq has secured a contract worth 82m to maintain night-vision goggles and weapon sights for the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Additionally, the Welsh Government is to carry out in investment of 2.5m in a new purpose designed facility providing warehousing and manufacturing space for the company for supporting the MoD contract.
Construction of the new 24,900 sq ft facility will be done on land owned by the Welsh Government adjacent to Qioptiqs premises on St Asaph Business Park.
Work on the Surveillance Target and Acquisition Support (STAS) contract would likely generate eight jobs at the company, which currently has an employee base of 560 people at its St Asaph and Bodelwyddan sites.
For a period of six years, Qioptiq will maintain handheld equipment including night-vision goggles and day and night weapon sights for the UK Armed Forces.
According to the MoD, the agreement merges 20 individual support contracts, and would likley help in saving of 47m for UK taxpayers over the next six years.
While announcing the new contract during the IDEX trade show, minister for defence procurement Harriett Baldwin said, "Its a pleasure to announce this 82m contract here at IDEX. This deal will provide our troops with the equipment they need to stay safe, while also delivering 47m of savings."
Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns added, "This massive contract for Qioptiq underlines Wales reputation as a world leader in the defence technology sector, coming hot on the heels of the choice of DECA Sealand as the global repair hub for the F35 aircraft.
"This enormous vote on confidence in the Welsh economy demonstrates that we offer the highly skilled workforce and facilities that investors need. It is also clearly great news for employment in the region."
