Sagem Defense to Develop Prototype Phase of the Swiss Soldier Modernization

EADS, ELANCOURT, France: EADS Defence & Security, through its integrated Business Unit Defence & Communications Systems (DCS) as prime contractor, and Sagem Defense Securite from SAFRAN Group as main subcontractor, have been awarded an exclusive contract with armasuisse, the Procurement, Technology and Real Estate Center of the Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), for the prototype phase of IMESS, the future soldier modernisation programme, with options for a subsequent industrialisation and first series delivery. 
 
IMESS is a programme for the modernization of the Swiss infantry fighting capabilities from a single soldier up to platoon level. 
 
The framework contract includes a first development phase plus options for series productions worth more than 120 M euros. The prototype phase will be finalized in September 2008 followed by an optional industrialization phase in 2009 and optional series production phases in 2010 and 2014, according to current master planning (procurement bills RP 09 and RP 13). The procurement of series is subject to approval by Swiss Parliament. 
 
EADS DS, having already successfully delivered the world’s first Soldier Modernization Programme (SMP) to the German Bundeswehr (IdZ), has been contracted to develop the COMFUT, an equivalent programme for the Spanish Army. 
 
Sagem Défense Sécurité has already delivered FELIN systems to the French Army in 2007 for technical/operational tests and will deliver another batch of FELIN systems in 2008. 
 
Both companies have combined their experiences, know-how and competences in the field of soldier modernization to better address market needs and to provide proven state-of-the-art soldier systems to their customers. 
 
With French, German, Swiss, and Spanish references, EADS DS and Sagem Défense Sécurité (SAFRAN Group) are in a good position to improve interoperability between European forces. 
 
Defence and Communications Systems (DCS) Business Unit is an integrated part of the EADS Defence & Security Division (DS). DS is a systems solutions provider combining military air systems, missile systems, communications and intelligence systems, global security solutions, sensor and avionics systems, as well as test and support solutions into a single effective network. In 2006, DS – with its around 23,000 employees – achieved revenues of EUR 5.9 billion. EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2006, EADS generated revenues of EUR 39.4 billion and employs a workforce of about 116,000. 
 
Sagem Défense Sécurité is a high-technology company in the SAFRAN Group. Organized in two divisions, Sagem Avionics and Sagem Optronics and Defense, Sagem Défense Sécurité is a world leader in its core businesses. The Sagem Avionics Division covers two main sectors: inertial navigation, where it is No. 1 in Europe and No. 3 worldwide; and aircraft systems, including world leadership in helicopter flight controls. The Sagem Optronics and Defense Division designs and develops thermal vision equipment and air-land systems, and is the European leader in surveillance and fire control optronics. Through SAFRAN, Sagem Défense Sécurité operates worldwide.