Nexter, a KNDS (KMW+NEXTER Defense Systems) company, has signed a contract with the Albanian Navy to supply remotely operated 20mm NARWHAL® naval turrets.
Albania has been a member of NATO since 2009 and will be the fourth country to equip its navy with NARWHAL® turrets, which already provide short-range self-defense to French and Egyptian FREMM frigates, French Mistral class vessels and Lebanese navy patrol boats. It will be also fitted to the French Navy’s patrol boats (Guyanese PLG light patrol craft) and on the HORIZON class frigates.
The contract, which came into effect on 19 May 2017, covers the supply of four remotely controlled NARWHAL® systems, to equip the Stan 4207 patrol vessels, which have been in service in the Albanian Navy since 2008. The contract also covers the supply of associated 20mm ammunition, produced by Nexter Munitions, and maintenance equipment.
The first two systems will be delivered at the end of 2017, with the following two to be delivered in the second half of 2018.
Combining the efficiency of the Nexter’s 20M621 20mm gun with a set of high-performance day/night electro-optic cameras and a moving target monitoring function, the NARWHAL® is perfectly suited to surveillance and maritime police missions, but also interception and self-defense operations in the face of constantly evolving asymmetric threats.
Following this purchase, the Albanian Navy intends to step up its involvement in maritime surveillance operations, the fight against piracy and maritime search and rescue missions.
Olivier Travert, Export Sales Director, commented: “Albania is the third foreign navy to equip itself with NARWHAL® turrets, thus confirming the system’s ability to perform across a broad range of critical missions.”
Nexter is the leading French land defense systems manufacturer, and third European player in the ammunition sector. It is dedicated to meeting the needs of the land forces of Nations on an international scale. The scope of its business includes the supply of weapon systems and ammunition for air and naval forces. Nexter also provides systems and protection solutions for the homeland security market.
The group continues to apply its international development policy with 60% of the order intake in 2016 intended for the export market. In France, Nexter is fully committed to meeting the objectives of the SCORPION program, through the renovation of the Leclerc tank and the development of the future GRIFFON and JAGUAR vehicles within the GME (temporary business venture between Nexter, Thales and Renault Trucks Defense).
Nexter’s 2016 turnover amounted to €771 million, of which 19% is allocated to Research and Development activities.
The group’s range of products includes ARAVIS®, TITUS® and VBCI armored vehicles, CAESAR®, TRAJAN® and 105LG1 artillery systems, smart ammunition (BONUS), as well as customer service and support.
