Delivering Resilience: Thales in Belfast to provide next batch of Saab NLAW effectors/anti-tank missile

Thales in Belfast has received a contract to produce a further batch of NLAW effectors (Next generation Light Anti-tank Weapon) for the British Army. The contract will maintain the ability to manufacture and supply this system which is used by NATO members and allies alike. Commonality of equipment across multiple Land Forces is key to NATO interoperability and resilience.

Saab’s NLAW is a shoulder-launched missile system combines the simplicity of light anti-armour weapons with the advantages of heavy, crew-operated guided missile systems. With NLAW, a single soldier can take out a heavily-protected modern main battle tank at ranges between 20 and 800 metres.

As a global leader in the development and manufacture of complex effectors, Thales Belfast has provided the final assembly of NLAW on behalf of Saab since 2008. This facility in Northern Ireland is ideally suited for this purpose because for Thales it specialises in the design and development of its own light weight weapon systems offering for tactical air, land and sea platforms.