Saft bags $28 million contract from US Defence Logistics Agency

Hi-tech battery maker Saft has been awarded a major multi-year contract by the US Defence Logistics Agency's (DLA's) Defence Supply Centre at Richmond, Virginia, to supply the US Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps with two types of lithium-manganese dioxide batteries (Li-MnO2).

The two Li-MnO2 batteries to be supplied are the BA-5368/U (12V, 0.9 Ah) and the BA-5372/U (6V, 0.5 Ah). They are primarily used for communications devices, like single channel ground and airborne radio systems (Sincgars) and PRC-90 radios.

The contract covers 100 per cent of the US military's needs for these types of batteries. The contract with the DLA is an indefinite quantity contract with a two-year base period for an amount of up to $11 million and three one-year option periods for a total amount of up to $28 million. The contract will be fulfilled from Saft's Valdese, North Carolina facility.

Saft is a world specialist in the design and manufacture of high technology batteries for industry.

They are used in high performance applications such as industrial infrastructure and processes, transportation, space and defence. Saft is the world's leading manufacturer of nickel-cadmium batteries for industrial applications and of primary lithium batteries for a wide range of end markets. It has 3,900 employees over 17 countries, with 16 manufacturing sites and an extensive sales network.