Kongsberg Awarded Contract for Protector RWS with French Army

WASHINGTON: Last week Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, a subsidiary of Kongsberg Gruppen ASA, signed a framework agreement worth up to $100 million with Renault Trucks Defense of France for the delivery of PROTECTOR Remote Weapon Stations (RWS). 
 
The agreement, meant to upgrade the French Army's Renault VAB 4x4 armored personnel carriers, will run though 2016 with deliveries of the weapon stations beginning in the first quarter of FY09. The first order under the framework agreement is for approximately $15 million. 
 
The Remote Weapon Station market is expanding exponentially at the moment for a very good reason: “Soldier’s lives are put at risk in complex conflict areas, and the RWS is saving lives by putting them out of harm’s way,” said Egil Haugsdal, Executive VP, Dynamic Division at Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace. 
 
Serge Perez, Senior VP at Renault Trucks Defense said: “The upgrade of the VAB is a very important and strategic program for the French Army. As well as the RWS, the vehicle will be fitted with full Battle Management capability, etc. The PROTECTOR RWS from Kongsberg was chosen from among 10 competitors by Renault Trucks Defense due in part to its compliance with the strict requirements from the DGA, as well as the significant experience Kongsberg has with other forces around the world.” 
 
The PROTECTOR RWS, currently supporting the U.S. Army’s Common Remotely Operated Weapon Station (CROWS) program, enhances troop protection and lethality by providing Soldiers with the ability to acquire and engage targets while inside the safety of a vehicle. Designed to mount on a variety of vehicle platforms and support numerous weapon systems, the PROTECTOR RWS is among the most versatile and cutting-edge products in the Army inventory. With production facilities in Johnstown, PA, Kongsberg is currently delivering systems on the CROWS II contract in the U.S. 
 
Kongsberg supplies high-technology systems to customers engaged in offshore oil and gas production, the merchant marine, and the defense and aerospace industries.