NI Firm Secure £200m Defence Contract

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster has welcomed Thales Air Defence's announcement of a £200 million contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Belfast-based Thales, an employer of over 500 people in Northern Ireland and a longstanding client of Invest Northern Ireland, will deliver the Air Defence Availability Project (ADAPT) in support of the Starstreak High Velocity Missile (HVM) system to the MoD until 2020.


Speaking during the announcement at the company’s premises in Castlereagh, the Minister said: "Thales is a highly innovative local company with a strong external sales focus and globally recognised reputation. Significant R&D support from Invest NI has been instrumental in helping the company position itself at the forefront of technological capability, leading to this latest major deal."

Ms Foster added: "This contract is good news for the Northern Ireland economy during what is a challenging period for all sectors. It will generate significant additional value and see Thales continue to provide high quality employment well into the future."

(PR/JM)