French Army Orders 5,000 Additional Felin Systems

Released on Friday, April 11, 2008

Paris, April 11, 2008 � On April 3, 2008, French defense procurement agency DGA, part of the Ministry of Defense, placed an order with Sagem Défense Sécurité (SAFRAN Group) for 5,045 FELIN integrated infantry soldier equipment suites for the French army, worth 143 million euros.

Scheduled for delivery between mid-2009 and the end of 2010, these systems will equip five infantry regiments. This latest order follows the previous order in March 2006 for 1,089 systems for initial deployment by a French army regiment starting in mid-2009. It marks the launch of FELIN volume production.

Designed to replace the current infantry combat suites, the FELIN system is both modular and integrated. It improves infantrymen's effectiveness and protection in all areas, including observation, communications, command, coordination and engagement.

"FELIN signals a step change in the individual and collective protection of French soldiers, as well as in their capabilities in any theater of operations," noted SAFRAN Chief Executive Officer Jean-Paul Herteman. "Over and above our own success, SAFRAN is very proud to be contributing to the enhanced operational efficiency of French forces in the field."

Sagem Défense Sécurité is equally capable of meeting the modernization requirements of armed forces in international markets. For instance, in November 2007 it was chosen to participate in the Swiss infantry modernization program IMESS (Integriertes Modulares Einsatzsystem Schweizer Soldat), along with EADS.