HEADLINE: UK Government Lord Bach attends launch of UK Missile Defence Centre
BODY:
The UK's Missile Defence Centre (MDC) was today launched by Lord Bach,
Minister for Defence Procurement. The MDC is a joint UK Government and
Industry initiative that will provide an interface between the UK and the US
Missile Defence Agency, and a forum for the exchange of ideas and capabilities
between UK and US industry.
This 'virtual' centre will act as a showcase for the specialist expertise
and equipment which UK industry has to offer to the US Missile Defence
programme. The MDC will also facilitate the exchange of information on the
development of the US programme, generating the best technical advice for
policy makers considering future options for the defence of the UK and Europe.
A "foundation group" of five major UK industry contributors AMS, BAE
Systems, INSYS, MBDA and Qinetiq, each having a proven track record in missile
defence, will work together within the MoD-led MDC. In order to maximise
opportunities for the involvement of UK expert groups, other UK companies and
universities will be invited to propose further participation in the MDC.
Lord Bach was joined at the inaugural lunch by senior military and
industrial figures including Lt.Gen. Ronald Kadish USAF, Director of the US
Missile Defence Agency, and Professor Sir Keith O'Nions, Chief Scientific
Advisor to the Ministry of Defence.
Lord Bach said: "With the US programme running at some $8bn a year, the
opportunities for UK industry are clear. In the Missile Defence Centre we are
looking to develop a well- defined, directed, jointly funded hardware
demonstration programme focusing on areas of UK expertise. In time, I hope
that UK industry will play a significant role within the US missile defence
programme." General Kadish said: "UK industry should know that we
understand the important role you play and that your creative energies are
exactly what we're looking for in the world of missile defence.
"We may be talking about key system components such as sensors or
software, where the United States could benefit from the experience and
knowledge of our allies. The potential benefits of working together are
significant." Guy Griffiths, MBDA Chief Operating Officer said: "MBDA
firmly believes that UK industry has significant capability in the area of
missile defence. The establishment of an MDC is strongly supported, providing
a framework for open and fair exchange of data and technology between the US
and the UK, and our prospective industrial collaboration."
James W. Evatt, Senior Vice President and General Manager Boeing Missile
Defence Systems said: "In establishing the Missile Defence Centre, the
Ministry of Defence has again demonstrated that the special relationship
between the United Kingdom and the United States extends to missile defence.
The Missile Defence Centre will help enable UK industry participation in the
global missile defence programme and in so doing will make for a better system
to protect our countries, our deployed forces, and our friends and allies from
ballistic missiles."
Notes to Editors:
1. The MDC is co-funded by the UK Government (GBP5M per annum for up to six
years) and with matching contributions from UK Industry.
2. Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon and US Defense Secretary Rumsfeld signed the
Framework Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD)
in Brussels on 12 June 2003. It sets out the basis of the UK/US industrial
relationship on missile defence, building on a long history of co-operation in
this area. It does not, however, commit the UK Government to acquisition or
deployment of a missile defence system.
3. The MoD's on-line news service UK Defence Today may also be accessed at http://news.mod.uk.
((M2 Communications Ltd disclaims all liability for information provided
within M2 PressWIRE. Data supplied by named party/parties. Further information
on M2 PressWIRE can be obtained at http://www.presswire.net
on the world wide web. Inquiries to info@m2.com)).
