LONDON, Nov. 19 (UPI) -- Missile-maker MBDA will continue to provide Brimstone air-to-ground missiles to Britain's Ministry of Defense under a five-year follow-on order.
The order is worth $56.4 million and will secure 20 specialist jobs in Britain, where the missile is produced.
"Brimstone missiles provide unrivaled precision capability and are key to protecting our forces in Afghanistan," Minister for Defense Equipment, Support and Technology Philip Dunne said while visiting the Dubai Airshow. "Designed and manufactured in the U.K., these weapons have continued to prove their effectiveness on operations.
"This contract will ensure our Brimstone missiles are fully primed for use with the RAF for years to come."
The Royal Air Force employs Brimstone missiles on its Tornado fighters. The missiles will also be integrated onto RAF's Typhoon aircraft and the future Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter jets Britain has ordered.
"Brimstone plays a vital part in our modern and sophisticated arsenal of precision strike weapons and securing this contract means a consistent delivery of weapons to the RAF as and when they are needed," said Air Commodore Mike Quigley, head of engineering in the Weapons Operating Center of the Defense Equipment and Support organization.
