MBDA secured a new deal at the Dubai air show linked to the dual-mode Brimstone air-to-surface missile used by the UK Royal Air Force’s Panavia Tornado GR4s, as it also seeks export deals for the design.
“We have announced a contract with MBDA to upgrade and sustain our stockpile of Brimstone weapons,” says UK minister for defence equipment, support and technology Philip Dunne.
Noting that the precision-strike weapon’s capabilities have been demonstrated in combat, and also to potential customers, Dunne says: “We are hopeful that some of them will lead to orders. It is the only missile of its kind, so it wouldn't be surprising if other countries were interested in it.”
Speaking at the show after meeting with MBDA chief executive Antoine Bouvier, Dunne confirmed that the UK has the Brimstone in its future plans for the RAF’s Eurofighter Typhoons. The weapon should be available “in time to make sure that we don’t have a capability gap” as the Tornado leaves use in 2019, he says.
Valuing the new deal at £35 million ($56 million), the Ministry of Defence says its award "will guarantee the supply of [Brimstone] weapons for the next five years".
Source: Flight Daily News
