Thales-Boeing team to run UK's £16 billion military project
By Our Corporate Bureau | 06 Oct 2007
Mumbai: Franco-American combination of Thales and Boeing has emerged as the preferred bidder for Britain's Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) Systems of Systems Integrator (SOSI), UK's ministry of defence (MoD) said in a news release.
The £16 billion Future Rapid Effect System (FRES), the MoD's most important equipment procurement plan, will supply the UK army with a new fleet of more than 3,000 highly mobile, medium-weight armoured vehicles.
FRES will introduce thousands of new military vehicles beginning 2012. Plans are to build four vehicle types in 21 variants for tasks ranging from reconnaissance to road clearing.
The role of 'system of systems integrator' will involve ensuring the vehicles can operate and communicate with other equipment, such as satellites, fighter jets and warships.
The project will include maintenance deals spanning up to 40 years that could increase the value of the deal to £60 billion, industry sources said.
The Thales-Boeing team's tasks will include overseeing the development of complex technology systems called 'integrated battlespace' that include those designed to safeguard against 'friendly fire' incidents.
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