Petards, the AIM quoted developer of advanced security and surveillance systems, announces that it has been awarded a contract worth over £7m by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for the supply and support of secure radio equipment for the RAF.

The contract is for the replacement of the RAF’s entire current Secure Management Radio Equipment (SMRE) capability. The purpose of SMRE is to allow Air Traffic Control at RAF bases to direct the safe movement of vehicles and personnel on the airfield manoeuvring area. It is also used in a secondary role to provide direct communication between Air Traffic Control and those in an airfield support role such as guards, medical personnel, re-fuelling and fire crews.

The project, the bulk of which will be delivered over the next 15 months, includes a contract to provide maintenance and support to SMRE over a ten year period until November 2023 with the option to extend that support contract by a further five years.

Petards Chairman Raschid Abdullah said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been awarded this contract by the MOD with whom we have a long established relationship in the provision and support of mobile radio systems. I believe that our success in securing this business is clear recognition of Petards’ expertise, experience and service in the telecommunication field.”