BAE, DEW sign agreement to build Lemur weapons system

Ottawa-based DEW Engineering and Development and BAE Systems Bofors of Karlskoga, Sweden signed a “teaming” agreement at DEFSEC Atlantic 2009 to provide a "team Canada" approach to the production of the Bofors LEMUR Remote Weapons System (RWS).

The announcement follows a recent decision by the Canadian Forces to move forward with the Family of Future Combat Vehicles project, a $5.2 billion effort to upgrade and acquire new vehicles.

Expecting the combat vehicles will require enhanced firepower, the DEW-BAE Systems partnership is intended to offer the Bofors LEMUR, part of a family of RWS from 5.56 to 25/30 mm, as a new capability.

This Bofors family has a high degree of commonality and interchangeability, ideal for long-term support across the product range, the company said. The project will be delivered from DEW’s facility in Miramichi, New Brunswick, and would be subjected to Canada's Industrial and Regional Benefit policy.

The agreement was sign by Peter Carlqvist, regional director of marketing and sales for BAE Systems Bofors, and Craig Campbell, DEW’s vice-president of business development. It was witnessed by Keith Ashfield, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and Ingrid Iremark, Sweden’s ambassador to Canada, both of whom spoke at the signing.