“MBDA’s position as a prime weapon systems integrator in Europe, and the existing relationship between BAE Systems and MBDA, made this agreement a natural fit,” said David Harrold, director of precision guidance solutions at BAE Systems, Inc. “As part of a global campaign, we anticipate this joint marketing effort will create a channel to meet the increasing demand from the European market for the APKWS rocket.”

The APKWS system is a mid-body guidance section fitted between the motor and the warhead, transforming a standard unguided 70 mm (2.75 in) munition into a precision laser-guided rocket to provide warfighters with a low-cost surgical strike capability. This highly innovative approach requires no modifications to the rocket, launch platform, or fire control/launcher system and allows militaries to leverage existing infrastructure and munitions investment.

“The APKWS rocket offers our customers high precision at a low cost,” said Paul Mead, group business development director at MBDA. “The system is suitable for a wide range of rotary and fixed wing platforms and complements our existing portfolio.”