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| A Nulka decoy being launched (Wiki Info - Image: Wiki) |
The Minister for Defence, Senator David Johnston today announced that the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) has signed a multi-million dollar contract with BAE Systems for further rounds for the Nulka active missile decoy system.
Nulka is a hovering rocket designed to seduce anti-ship missiles away from their targets.
Senator Johnston said the $35 million dollar contract will produce additional Nulka rounds that will be delivered to both the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the United States Navy (USN).
“Nulka is an exceptionally valuable capability for the RAN and has made a huge difference to enhancing ship defence, providing an effective counter measure against radar guided missiles,” Senator Johnston said.
“It remains Australia’s largest regular Defence export valued at $700 million dollars and is installed on over 150 Australian, United States and Canadian warships.
“Under this arrangement, the DMO is the contracting lead for the acquisition of Nulka decoys on behalf of the RAN and USN.
Senator Johnston said the original Nulka development was performed under a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) between the United States and Australian governments in 1986 and is the first joint project in the electronic warfare domain between the two countries.
“Since the agreement Nulka has developed into a collaborative program of great success and value to both countries,” Senator Johnston said.
“Development is ongoing, with several projects currently planned to sustain the Nulka system as a premier Anti-Ship Missile defence solution for the RAN and the USN.”
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