Tel Aviv. Elbit Systems  was awarded an approximately $16 million initial contract by the UK Ministry of Defence to provide the UK Armed Forces with XACT Night Vision Goggles (“NVG”). The initial contract will be performed over an 18-month period with the potential for additional follow-on orders over a period of five years.

Under the contract, Elbit Systems UK will supply the lightweight micro binocular XACT nv33 NVGs in a helmet-mounted configuration. XACT nv33 NVG improves mission efficiency during dark conditions and enables safe, off-road vehicle driving without headlights. Systems from the XACT family have been selected by a number of NATO countries including Germany and the Netherlands, as well as by Israel, and are operationally proven.

In March Elbit, announced that it was selected by the Procurement Office of the German Federal Ministry of the Interior, after a competitive tender procedure, to supply XACT nv33 Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) for the German Federal Police. Timing of the delivery were not released. The German Armed Forces are already using TE Elbit system. It is also used by the Netherlands, as well as the Israeli and the Australian Armed Forces.

Martin Fausset, CEO of Elbit Systems UK, said: “The XACT nv33 NVG systems have already been proven to enhance the operational effectiveness of several militaries around the world and we are pleased with the opportunity to provide this capability to the UK. The manufacturing and delivery of the XACT nv33 NVGs will create more skilled jobs in the UK and demonstrate freedom of action and value for money to the UK customer”.

-The writer is an International Roving Correspondent of the publication.