Ultra announces that its Communication & Integrated Systems business, based in Greenford, Middlesex, UK, has been awarded a production contract valued at £76m relating to the End Cryptographic Unit Replacement Programme (ECU RP), the first phase of the UK MOD's cryptographic modernisation programme.
Ultra announced on 22 February 2010 that it had been selected as the preferred bidder for ECU RP and received a contract for risk reduction activities at that time. This new production contract is worth £76m with potential additional value to Ultra if related support activities are awarded . This contract will be included in the order book value when the Group's interim results are announced on 2 August. Ultra's execution of this production phase of ECU RP will be between 2010 and the end of 2014.
ECU RP will replace 23 different types of legacy cryptographic equipment using modern, programmable technologies. The new cryptographic equipment will be installed in over 30 platform types at over 100 locations. The contract has been awarded by the Networks Team within the UK MoD's Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) organisation.
Ultra is highly experienced in the specialist requirements of high grade cryptography including all aspects of cryptographic and key management and has fulfilled the secure communication requirements of customers, in the UK and abroad, for over 50 years.
Douglas Caster, Chief Executive of Ultra, commented:
"I am very pleased that Ultra has been awarded this production contract for the ECU Replacement Programme. The award of this contract at a time when priorities for defence and security expenditure are eing critically reviewed emphasises the Government's determination to address the increasing cyber threat to sovereign security. Successful execution of this contract will also position Ultra for other key projects in the UK's cryptographic modernisation programme and the wider information assurance market."
Enquiries
Ultra Electronics Holdings plc
Douglas Caster, Chief Executive
Rakesh Sharma, Chief Operating Officer
Paul Dean, Group Finance Director
020 8813 4321
information@ultra-electronics.com
www.ultra-electronics.com
Media enquiries:
Susan Ellis, Senior Communications Adviser
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James White, Hogarth
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