BAE Systems and Kongsberg Protech Systems have signed a teaming agreement to sell and support Kongsberg’s Remote Weapon Stations (RWS) in Australia. Kongsberg is a market leader in Remote Weapon Stations development and production with more than 10,000 systems sold with deployment in 16 countries, including on the Australian Army’s ASLAV. It also supplies the US Army with RWS through the CROWS II program.

A RWS assembly, integration and test facility will be established at BAE Systems Australia’s electro-optic facility at Holden Hill in Adelaide. Heavy grade repairs and calibration of RWS electro-optic sensors, precision mechanisms and electronics will also be conducted at this facility. RWS medium grade repair will be undertaken by BAE Systems at the Albury Wodonga Military Area facility and other customer sites.

BAE Systems combines key skills in engineering and systems integration to provide efficient, value for money solutions that ensure the protection of Australia and its defence forces across the maritime, land, air and security sectors. In Australia, the company employs 6,100 people who support customers at more than 70 locations.

Ian Sharp, Director Land Business Unit, for BAE Systems Australia, said, “Through this teaming the Australian Defence Force will benefit from comprehensive, responsive and cost-effective local support for the Kongsberg RWS, originally acquired under an Urgent Operational Requirement.”

Egil Haugsdal, Executive Vice President Kongsberg Protech Systems, said, “Kongsberg looks forward to expanding its global relationship with BAE Systems through this wide ranging RWS agreement for the Australian market. Kongsberg will train BAE Systems in the sales, integration, operation, maintenance and support of our expanding range of RWS equipment to provide the necessary expertise and back up in the Australian region. Additional opportunities will be available for BAE Systems to become part of the Kongsberg RWS global supply chain.”