Biotrace International has been awarded a contract by the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) Maintenance and Supply Agency (Namsa) to supply three field laboratories
Following a competitive tendering process, Namsa awarded a contract to Biotrace MicroSafe for the supply of three nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) field laboratories and associated equipment.
These will be deployed by the Italian army in any contaminated areas for operations in Italy and missions abroad.
The total contract value for the three NBC laboratories is euro1.74 million (£1.2 million) with delivery in the last quarter of 2006.
Ian Johnson, chief executive officer of Biotrace, said: "To date our defence business has represented a modest percentage of group revenues and has largely been driven by sales of products to a single customer, the UK Ministry of Defence.
"This has resulted in sales being better in some years than others depending on system usage and world events.
"The acquisition of MicroSafe in Italy just over six months ago has broadening the customer base and expanded Defence revenues substantially".
"This significant contract win from a major new customer demonstrates our enhanced capability to deliver complete solutions for military and homeland defence and is a great endorsement of our technology and expertise in addressing this specialist market.
"Whilst the defence business remains difficult to predict, greater opportunities now exist for growth with this contract adding significantly to revenues in 2006."
