BAE SYSTEMS launches RO Defence

BAE SYSTEMS chose Eurosatory 2000 to launch a new weapon systems business - RO Defence.The new company has been formed by the integration of the former Land and Naval Systems business of Marconi with Royal Ordnance. RO Defence will focus on the design and manufacture of ammunition, artillery, guns and weapon systems.

Clive Richardson, Managing Director of RO Defence said, "I believe that we have a greater capability than any of our world-wide competitors. Our product range makes us the world's leading designer and manufacturer of advanced artillery systems and, in conjunction with BAE SYSTEMS, we are the only company in the world that can offer a complete artillery capability"

Speaking to reporters yesterday Richardson said that the new company could deliver weapons, ammunition, rockets, air defence systems, artillery pointing and positioning systems, command and control and target acquisition, "...all backed by a total commitment to the highest standards of training, and through life support."

The 155mm Ultra-Lightweight Field Howitzer (UFH) is the company's core strategic artillery system for the future. RO Defence is confident that it will quickly become not just the NATO standard weapon in it's class, but will be in demand from nations world-wide.

Richardson said that the AS90 Braveheart has proved itself on continuous operations in Bosnia and Kosovo with the British Army, and following recent export sales success in Poland is in open competition in Finland and elsewhere.

The l05mm Light Gun will continue to provide the firepower for such forces as the Royal Marine Commandos and British Airborne and Airmobile artillery until the introduction of UFH in the coming years.

RO Defence\is putting its effort into continuous development of new products and cost-effective technology insertion into well-established market leaders. It has established a pioneering Partnering Agreement between RO Defence and the UK Ministry of Defence.

Richardson admitted that although the picture looked good in the near future, there was still a need to keep its manufacturing base under review. He said that BAE SYSTEMS evolution into a global company meant that it would look closely at cooperative or joint ventures around the world, including local production where contracts were won. This meant that the UK elements would have to remain efficient to compete, and pointed in particular to the closing of the Bishopston factory in Scotland and an on-going review of the Nottingham facility. He could not rule out further job losses.

REF XQQEE XQQLD