BAE Systems' first armoured vehicle sale to UAE Armed Forces

Notes and media contacts

For further information, please contact:
Jayne Thomson, BAE SYSTEMS Middle East
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384 841

Issued by:
MCS/Action: Tel: +9714 390 2960; fax: +9714 3908161.

On behalf of:
BAE SYSTEMS, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 6YU, UK.
Tel: +44 (0) 1252 384605 Fax: +44 (0) 1252 383947

About the RG-31

• The RG-31 Mine Protected Vehicle offers high mobility, ease of handling and outstanding crew comfort combined with effective mine protection.

• Ample payload and crew-capacity enable it to be used for a variety of roles.

• The hull is an all-steel welded armoured monocoque structure to which the drive-line components are fitted.

• Hull-assembly protection includes the mine protection of a double anti-tank mine (14kg TNT) under any wheel or a single anti-tank mine (7kg TNT) under the hull.

• The crew compartment is also protected against armour-piercing ammunition : 7.62 x 39 mm API

About BAE SYSTEMS Land Systems OMC

1. BAE Systems Land Systems OMC is South Africa's primary military vehicle facility and covers all disciplines of the military vehicle spectrum including conceptualisation, design, development, manufacture, production, and in-service support. The company specialises in a wide range of wheeled armoured vehicles and mine-protected vehicles and supplies South Africa and other African and overseas defence markets. The company's offices and plant are situated in Benoni, Gauteng. To know more visit www.baesystemsomc.co.za

2. Land Systems OMC currently supports over 95% of the SA Army's armoured vehicle capability, including: Olifant MBT, Rooikat AFV, Ratel ICV, and Casspir, Mamba, Okapi and Mfezi MPVs. The company maintains facilities and capabilities for the maintenance, repair, upgrade and logistic support of all of these vehicles, which includes the provision of support teams when required at bases where such vehicles are deployed.

3. Land Systems OMC is also responsible for the maintenance and support of other SA Army main equipment including SAMIL trucks, bridging equipment and Engineer combat tractors. Much of the SAMIL support is effected through Land Systems OMC's dealer network, which includes 16 Black Empowerment dealers.

4. Land Systems South Africa, formerly known as Alvis South Africa, comprises Land Systems OMC and Land Systems Gear Ratio and was acquired by BAE SYSTEMS in September 2004. Today it is an intrinsic element of BAE SYSTEMS' Land Systems unit, one of the world's largest makers of security, peacekeeping and military vehicles.

5. BAE Systems holds a 75% share of the Land Systems South Africa business, the remaining 25% being held by DGD Technologies (2001) (Pty) Ltd, a South African Black Empowerment company. Land Systems South Africa has two divisions, OMC and Gear Ratio. The latter is a specialist manufacturer of transmission systems and components to local and overseas OEMs. It is situated in Alrode, Alberton.

6. Our customers are changing, driving for enhanced military capability at lower cost and are seeking to deliver this through long term partnerships with industry. Our track record uniquely positions us to respond to these changes.

7. Land Systems' strategy and organisation structure, supported by its 5,100 employees, is designed to meet customer requirements. Our strategy is to work closely with our customers to optimise their military capability, both now and in the future, by delivering the most efficient, value for money systems and solutions.

About BAE SYSTEMS

BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea and in space. The company designs, manufactures and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, armoured and armour-proof vehicles, radar, avionics, communications, electronics and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years. It is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems.

BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The company has more than 90,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately £12 billion through its wholly-owned and joint venture operations.

BAE Systems prime contracting capability combines key in-depth skills in systems, defence and aerospace, enabling it to manage the most complex high-level systems tasks and provide total solutions - a one-stop shop capability and service provision.

BAE Systems designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, space systems, radar, avionics, C4ISR, electronic systems, guided weapons and a range of other defence products, many of these with international partners. Key skills include systems integration, complex software and hardware development and advanced manufacturing.

BAE Systems established itself in the new democratic South Africa in 1994. It provides Jetstream 41 airliners to SA Airlink, visual guidance systems to SAA for its Boeing 737-800 fleet and, as a partner in Airbus, built the wings for SAA's entire new Airbus fleet. The company was also selected to provide modern Hawk and Gripen trainers and fighters to the South African Air Force. In return for this joint military contract, the company, with its Gripen partner, Saab AB, is delivering UD$8,7-billion of new economic benefits to South Africa through new investments, exports, jobs, skills and technology transfers.

About BAE SYSTEMS Land Systems

BAE Systems Land Systems has some 5,100 employees across four business streams: Land Systems Hagglunds, Land Systems Weapons & Vehicles, Land Systems Munitions & Ordnance and Land Systems South Africa.

Land Systems' product portfolio includes military vehicles, main battle tanks, munitions, artillery, armoured personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles, turreted weapon systems, engineering vehicles and bridging equipment that can be fully integrated and supported to meet a range of customer requirements.