Craig Mackinlay MP gives support to local manufacturer

Sandwich, Kent, 6th November 2020 – Craig Mackinlay, MP for South Thanet, visited the new offices of local manufacturing company Instro Precision Technologies, a subsidiary of Elbit Systems UK.

The company based in Sandwich, employs almost 100 people locally, many of them in highly skilled manufacturing and engineering roles. Instro is a supplier to the UK Ministry of Defence, providing components for crucial programmes supporting service men and women on the front line.

Specialising in electro-optics, the site is fully operational and in-line with the latest Covid-19 guidance for key workers. They are continuing to provide systems to the Royal Artillery Regiment, as well as providing advanced electro-optic situational awareness capabilities to the British Army’s AJAX and warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicles. Instro is also a key supplier to the British Army’s Watchkeeper programme, in partnership with its sister company, UAV Tactical Systems.

Martin Fausset, CEO of Elbit Systems UK said:

“Instro has long been a local employer and we are proud to have continued that throughout 2020. We are grateful to Craig for visiting to see not just the highly innovative work we do locally, but also to meet our highly skilled workforce. We look forward to building this relationship as we continue to support the men and women in our Armed Forces.”

Craig Mackinlay MP said:

“I was delighted to visit Instro Precision once more but this time at their new site at Discovery Park. When I last visited at their old Broadstairs facility, planning for the new site was well under way and I am pleased Instro’s factory is now fully operational. I received a very useful and detailed briefing on the Watchkeeper Unmanned Air System of which Intro are now a key supplier, as well as other important programmes. Instro are of growing importance to the UK aerospace and defence industry and a huge local asset providing hi-tech employment in a niche industry. I will do all I can to help them strengthen the engineering sector locally and create jobs in Kent.”

About Elbit Systems UK

Elbit Systems UK Ltd (ESUK) holds four wholly-owned subsidiaries as well as two joint ventures. In total, over 500 personnel are employed by the ESUK companies in the UK, in high tech roles in the defence, aerospace and rail sectors. The two joint ventures were formed in order to deliver the Watchkeeper programme for the British Army and to supply and support three fleets of aircraft within the UK MOD Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) programme.