MSA secures between &uro;2.8 and &uro;11.4 Million Ballistic Helmet Contract for French Police and Gendarmerie
MSA GALLET, the French affiliate of US-based safety equipment manufacturer MSA, has been awarded a contract to supply the French Police and Gendarmerie with law enforcement helmets designed to provide advanced ballistic protection.
The purpose of the contract is to equip French law enforcement officers with higher levels of head protection against new risks associated with public demonstrations. These risks include liquid and gas projectiles, flammable explosions and ballistic threats. The contract has a value of between &uro;2.8 and &uro;11.4 Million and calls for production of 10,000 to 45,000 helmets over the next four years. Initial delivery is scheduled to begin at the end of February.
“After several years of supplying ballistic helmets for the gendarmerie, this contract demonstrates the trust the French administration has placed in MSA and its products, and we’re grateful for that trust,” said Olivier Cheron, Managing Director of MSA Gallet. “Furthermore, it places MSA in a good position to serve the administration’s additional and future needs for other related safety and security products, including respiratory protective equipment and emergency escape devices.
Mr Cheron noted the ballistic helmets to be furnished under the contract have been in development at MSA for some time. “Developing an advanced ballistic helmet that meets the needs of French law enforcement officers has been a high priority of ours over the past two-and-a-half years,” he said. “It’s been an important part of our business strategy and we’re excited to see it come to fruition.
Best of all, it provides MSA Gallet with an opportunity to demonstrate that we are not only a provider of helmets, but also able to meet needs for a large range of products, including our new self-contained self rescuer for emergency respiratory protection, soft body armor and hearing protection products.”
MSA GALLET served as an early developer the military Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH), which is now manufactured by MSA in the United States and is the standard of issue for the US Army. Incorporating a lightweight design that offers soldiers advanced protection with greater comfort, stability and situational awareness, the ACH has been credited with saving numerous lives in military actions in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Established in 1914, MSA is a global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of sophisticated safety products that protect people’s health and safety. Sophisticated safety products typically integrate any combination of electronics, mechanical systems and advanced materials to protect users against hazardous or life-threatening situations. The company’s comprehensive line of products is used by workers around the world in the fire service, homeland security, construction and other industries, as well as the military.
Principal products include self-contained breathing apparatus, gas masks, gas detection instruments, head protection, respirators and thermal imaging cameras. MSA has annual sales of approximately US$950 million, manufacturing operations throughout the United States and Europe, and more than 40 international locations.