EADS and Fulcrum Solutions have entered into an agreement to cooperate for the marketing, development and localisation of command and control (C2) and intelligence surveillance reconnaissance (ISR) systems.
This cooperation was made for the South African Defence Force`s (SANDF`s) acquisition programmes. One of the major acquisition projects is a programme to replace the Army`s RATAL fleet of infantry fighting vehicles with modern ones. Another acquisition programme is meant to increase the field of tactical intelligence of SANDF; the C2 systems will be used by South African peacekeeping forces locally and internationally.
EADS and Fulcrum set a new landmark in technology transfer between Europe and South Africa. Both companies have joined their forces to combine the know-how for first class C3I systems with excellent knowledge in software systems for the South African environment.
EADS Command & Control, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance software has been used successfully for years at peacekeeping and peace enforcement operations in different countries, eg Afghanistan, Bosnia and Kosovo.
EADS offers the know-how and the technology to its cooperation company Fulcrum, which will be fully responsible for marketing, development, localisation and adoption of the software. The support of EADS shows a further commitment to the SANDF, the defence-related industries and the South African government`s black economic empowerment (BEE) initiative. In addition, it will allow the SANDF to have the respective software systems localised and upgraded in South Africa by Fulcrum.
Fulcrum, with its BEE shareholder, is the only 100% South African owned private company to be able to offer a full battle proven command and control solution to the SANDF.
Fulcrum is a proudly South African company established in 1997 by a group of engineers with superior experience in commercial and military solution development sectors. A black owned company acquired a 40% stake in Fulcrum and this transaction makes Fulcrum one of a few 100% South African, black empowered companies that will ensure the involvement of previously disadvantaged individuals in the mainstream of both the strategic commercial business niche markets as well as the defence, safety and security arena.
Fulcrum focuses on the design, development, integration and implementation of defence solutions, control systems and command and control solutions, and can boast of more than seven years of experience in this field. Fulcrum has a security certified laboratory used for local and international clients. All engineers have a "SECRET" security clearance.
Defence and Communications Systems, the Systems House of EADS, is an integrated business unit of the EADS Defence & Security Systems Division.
EADS Defence & Security Systems, with revenues of about EUR5.4 billion in 2004 and roughly 23 000 employees across 10 nations, forms the defence and security pillar within EADS. It offers integrated systems solutions to the new challenges confronting armed forces and homeland security units. It is active in the areas of military aircraft, missile systems, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems with manned and unmanned aerial vehicles, battlefield management systems, defence electronics, sensors and avionics, and related services.
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2004, EADS generated revenues of EUR31.8 billion and employed a workforce of about 110 000.
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