UK defense firm QinetiQ Group Plc said the war in Ukraine is boosting sales of products including battlefield robots, while demand for the latest military technology is helping the business more generally.
(Bloomberg) — UK defense firm QinetiQ Group Plc said the war in Ukraine is boosting sales of products including battlefield robots, while demand for the latest military technology is helping the business more generally.
The US has increased orders for the Talon robot, primarily designed for bomb disposal but also used in reconnaissance and other roles, Chief Executive Officer Steve Wadey said in an interview.
Britain has increased purchases in secure communications that provide super-encrypted links to the front line.
Wadey, who spoke Thursday after London-based QinetiQ reported an 18% jump in first-half orders, said he couldn’t comment on whether purchases were aimed at directly supplying Ukraine’s defense forces.
Kyiv’s success in combating a Russian military holding a numerical advantage in headcount and armaments has also reinforced the importance of fielding state-of-the-art systems in areas such as surveillance, bolstering interest in QinetiQ’s suite of technology-led products, the CEO said.
“Countries have realized they need the technological advantage,” Wadey said by phone.
“So they’re looking at the next generation available.”
QinetiQ is also a key player in developing Britain’s first high-powered laser weapon, which has recently been undergoing test firing.
The DragonFire energy beam has been trialled at the Porton Down military research center in England, hitting long-range targets with pinpoint accuracy, the Ministry of Defense said Nov.
8. QinetiQ supplies the laser for the device.
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