Aselsan will be the project's prime contractor
Elbit Systems' share will be $87 million and IAI's will be $54 million
Haifa, Israel, December 25 2008 – Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:ESLT) and Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd (IAI) announced today that their respective subsidiaries, Elbit Systems Electro-Optics Elop Ltd. (Elbit Systems Electro-Optics) and ELTA Systems Ltd. (ELTA) have been awarded a $141 million contract ($87 million awarded to Elbit Systems Electro-Optics and $54 million awarded to ELTA) to supply the Turkish Air Force with combined airborne IMINT (Imagery Intelligence) systems. The contract will become effective upon Elbit Systems Electro-Optics and ELTA completing the process for providing performance bonds for the project, which is anticipated to occur in the comings weeks.
Deliveries under the contract will be made over a four-year period.
Haim Rousso, General Manager of Elbit Systems Electro - Optics said: "We are very proud that the Turkish Air Force, one of the most advanced and modern in the world, has chosen our reconnaissance system. The system is based on a well-developed and proven solution, which has already been chosen by several leading Air Forces and has recorded thousands of successful operational flight hours in severely demanding conditions." Rousso added: "This contract establishes Elbit Systems Electro-Optics' advanced position as one of the world's leading companies in the field of aerial reconnaissance. The system selected by the Turkish Air Force is a world leading solution, and we are very pleased to partner with ELTA in providing this solution".
Nissim Hadas, IAI Corporate VP & President of ELTA Systems said: "ELTA has developed, over the years, numerous IMINT Systems, ranging from fighter aircraft pods through various UAV payloads to business jet installed SAR systems. Some of those SAR systems are already fully operational in some countries. Together with its radar and system design and integration capabilities, ELTA has also developed an extensive exploitation capability for comprehensive ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) applications. This IMINT systems contract adds an important support to ELTA’S position as a world leader in Intelligence Systems, in general, and in integrated IMINT systems, in particular." Hadas added: "We are proud to work together with Elop on this program".
About Elbit Systems
Elbit Systems Ltd. is an international defense electronics company engaged in a wide range of defense-related programs throughout the world. The Company, which includes Elbit Systems and its subsidiaries, operates in the areas of aerospace, land and naval systems, command, control, communications, computers, intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance ("C4ISR"), unmanned air vehicle (UAV) systems, advanced electrooptics, electro-optic space systems, EW suites, airborne warning systems, ELINT systems, data links and military communications systems and radios. The Company also focuses on the upgrading of existing military platforms and developing new technologies for defense, homeland security and commercial aviation applications.
About IAI /ELTA
Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. is a recognized leader in the aerospace and defense industry and Israel’s largest industrial exporter. ELTA Systems Ltd., a group and wholly owned subsidiary of IAI, is one of Israel's leading defense electronics companies and a leader in Intelligence Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR), Early Warning and Control, Home-Land Security (HLS), Self-Protection and Self- Defense and Fire Control application.
Contacts:
Elbit Systems Contacts:
Joseph Gaspar, Executive VP & CFO
Dalia Rosen, Head of Corporate
Communications
Elbit Systems Ltd
Tel: +972-4-8316663
Fax: +972-4-8316944
E-mail: j.gaspr@elbitsystems.com
dalia.rosen@elbitsystems.com
Elbit Systems IR Contacts:
Ehud Helft / Kenny Green
G.K. Investor Relations
Tel: 1-646-201-9246
E-mail: info@gkir.com
IAI Contacts:
Doron Suslik
Deputy Corporate Vice
President for Communications
Tel: 972 (3) 935-8509
Fax: 972 (3) 935-8512
Email: hpaz@iai.co.il
This press release contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) regarding Elbit Systems Ltd. and/or its subsidiaries (collectively the Company), to the extent such statements do not relate to historical or current fact. Forward Looking Statements are based on management’s expectations, estimates, projections and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual future results, performance and trends may differ materially from these forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation: scope and length of customer contracts; governmental regulations and approvals; changes in governmental budgeting priorities; general market, political and economic conditions in the countries in which the Company operates or sells, including Israel and the United States among others; differences in anticipated and actual program performance, including the ability to perform under long-term fixed-price contracts; and the outcome of legal and/or regulatory proceedings. The factors listed above are not allinclusive, and further information is contained in Elbit Systems Ltd.’s latest annual report on Form 20-F, which is on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this release. The Company does not undertake to update its forward-looking statements.
