After a prolonged and highly charged competition, Matra BAe Dynamics has finally secured an order from Kuwait for the ship-launched variant of its Sea Skua anti-ship missile.
Matra BAe Dynamics was competing for the Kuwaiti order in competition with Aerospatiale.
The latter was offering a ship-launched variant of its AS 15 medium-range anti-ship missile. Norway's Kongsberg had also harboured hopes of offering its Penguin anti-ship missile to meet the Kuwaiti requirement.
The Sea Skua will be fitted to patrol craft for Kuwait, which are now being built by France's CMN.
The competition became politicised, with both French and UK Government officials supporting offers made by companies from their countries.
The deal, covered by a government-to-government contract between Kuwait and the UK, also covers training and support systems for the Sea Skua.
The Sea Skua uses semi-active radar guidance coupled, with a radio altimeter to provide the missile with a sea-skimming flight attack profile.
Matra BAe Dynamics is also looking at options in expanding the capability of the air-launched Sea Skua, including extending its maximum launch range.
Source: Flight International
