Article Posted on : - Nov 27, 2010

A file photo

STOCKHOLM (BNS): Thales, Nexter and Sagem have been selected by the Directorate General for Armaments (DGA) to lead the architecture design phase of French Army’s Scorpion programme.

DGA has awarded $ 28 million contract for a period of two years, which is later expected to extend for four years if options are confirmed.

The three companies have formed a joint venture (JV) company, called MARS (Maîtrise d’ARchitecture Scorpion, or Scorpion prime contractor), to manage the architecture design contract for the programme and to simplify the industrial organisation.

MARS will bring to the French military customer the benefit of their complementary skills, covering the entire Scorpion programme, their knowledge of the combat equipment market and their understanding of current and future military requirements, according to defense-aerospace website.

The JV is made to meet the equipment and capability challenges of future combat units, with a particular emphasis on operational coherence and economic performance.