The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded a surveillance target and acquisition support (STAS) contract to Qioptiq to address the needs of the country's armed forces.

The £82m contract requires the company to maintain night-vision goggles, as well as day and night weapon sights used by the British personnel worldwide, over the next six years.

UK Minister for Defence Procurement Harriett Baldwin said: “It’s a pleasure to announce this £82m contract here at IDEX. This deal will provide our troops with the equipment they need to stay safe, while also delivering £47m of savings.

“This contract is made possible by our £178bn equipment plan, supported by a defence budget that will rise every year until the end of the decade.”

"This deal will provide our troops with the equipment they need to stay safe, while also delivering £47m of savings."

Under the STAS contract, Qioptiq will maintain infantry periscopes, laser aimers and target locating equipment used across the armed forces.

MoD's defence equipment and support organisation CEO Tony Douglas said: “This new deal with Qioptiq has reduced costs by a third, demonstrating how we are constantly striving to build innovation and value into defence procurement and support.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

“Crucially, the STAS contract, will deliver improved support to Her Majesty’s Armed Forces.”

The contract is expected to create eight new jobs at the company, which currently employs around 560 people at its St Asaph and Bodelwyddan sites in the UK.