A Nidderdale-based company has been awarded a £4.6 million contract from the Ministry of Defence to supply advanced anti-drone weapon sights.

The equipment is described as a ‘game-changer’ for the battlefield enabling soldiers on the ground to shoot down small drones.

Viking Arms Ltd, on the New York Industrial Estate in Summerbridge, was founded in 1965 as a small family business. It has grown to become a leading distributor of arms, ammunition and ancillaries produced by the world’s major manufacturers.

After placing the order for the distributor to supply 225 of the sights, the MOD, said:

“The British Army’s close combat soldiers will soon receive a cutting-edge weapon sight that will give them a tactical advantage countering uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs).

“The SmartShooter SMASH Smart Weapon Sight Fire Control System will give dismounted soldiers the ability to achieve a high probability of a hit against micro and mini UAVs.

“The capability is able to recognise a target, track its movements, and maintain a lock on the target even if it or the user moves.

“This Counter-Small Uncrewed Air Systems (C-sUAS) capability will initially be fitted to the SA80 A3 assault rifle and can also be fitted onto other in-service individual weapons.

“An initial £4.6 million order for SMASH sights has been agreed under the new five-year Framework Agreement, worth up to £20 million for delivery to Operational readiness units across the Dismounted Close Combat (DCC) community by the end of this year.”

The contract will allow further sights to be delivered over the next few years to the Army, Navy and RAF.