Hall & Watts Defence Optics, a leader in artillery sighting systems, in partnership with ARIS (Applicazioni Rielaborazioni Impianti Speciali), a renowned Italian company specializing in the design, manufacturing, and maintenance of special vehicles and equipment, has been selected by the Italian Ministry of Defence (MOD) to supply up to 54 artillery sighting systems to the Land Forces’ FH70 155mm MLU program.

As 21st-century artillery platforms increasingly adopt advanced digital navigation and fire control systems, ensuring a robust manual backup has become essential for operational continuity. The Italian MOD recognizes this critical need, ensuring their FH70 howitzers are equipped with reliable manual artillery sighting systems as a fail-safe to complement their new digital technologies. 

The collaboration between Hall & Watts and ARIS combines decades of expertise in manual sighting systems with ARIS’s extensive experience in vehicle and system upgrades for defense applications. Together, they offer the Italian MOD a comprehensive solution that ensures precision, reliability, and seamless integration with the upgraded artillery platforms. 

“We are thrilled to collaborate with ARIS in supporting the Italian Army’s modernization efforts,” said Edward Hoskins, Managing Director of Hall & Watts Defence Optics. “Our sighting systems, combined with ARIS’s integration expertise, will ensure the FH70 howitzers maintain operational readiness, even in the most challenging scenarios.” 

ARIS’s MD G.Bellezza added: “Partnering with Hall & Watts on this critical project exemplifies how innovative collaboration can deliver unmatched solutions to modern defense challenges. Together, we are proud to support the Italian MOD’s vision for a modern, resilient artillery force.” 

The Italian MOD’s upgrade of their FH70 platforms reflects their commitment to integrating cutting-edge digital systems while ensuring operational safeguards through reliable manual systems. This forward-thinking approach enhances their artillery units’ effectiveness and guarantees mission success in diverse combat scenarios. 

About Hall & Watts Defence Optics
Hall & Watts Defence Optics has been a manufacturing military optics and sighting systems for over 50 years. The company’s products are trusted by armed forces worldwide for their accuracy, reliability, and adaptability in demanding operational environments. 

About ARIS
Founded in 1946, ARIS (Applicazioni Rielaborazioni Impianti Speciali) specializes in the design, manufacturing, and maintenance of special vehicles and equipment, system upgrades, and vehicle fittings for both military and civil applications. With a strong presence in the defense sector, ARIS is a trusted partner of the Italian Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Interior. 

Hall & Watts are proud to be sponsoring the SSAFA Military Race Day taking place on 18th November 2022, supported and arranged by Battlespace Technologies.

This event is in aid of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity. SSAFA exists to relieve need, suffering and distress amongst the Armed Forces, veterans and their families in order to support their independence and dignity. We recognise that behind every uniform is a person – and sometimes that person, or their family, is in need of help.

The day will be held at Chepstow Racecourse, St Lawrence Rd, Chepstow, NP16 6BE.

Hall & Watts Australia have been awarded a multi-million pound order for the supply of MAS Zengrange Remote Initiation Systems to the Australian Defence Force.

Following on from earlier success with Project SEA 1778, where Mini-DRFD was selected as the command initiation system for the Royal Australian Navy’s mine clearance capability, Mini-DRFD has recently been chosen under the auspices of project LAND 154 to equip units of both the Australian Army and the Royal Australian Air Force to conduct demolition tasks.

Mini-DRFD M3.0 is a UHF digital radio-controlled initiation system designed for the remote or timed initiation of munitions and explosives, and is now the joint service remote firing device for the Australian Defence Force. With this acquisition, the ADF joins over 30 countries across the tri-service spectrum who are all using Mini-DRFD for explosive demolition operations.

Hall & Watts Defence Optics Ltd has recently been certified for Cyber Essentials, a UK Government backed Cyber Security Scheme.

CyberEssentials helps us to guard against the most common cyber threats and demonstrates our commitment to cyber security for our business.

Certification also allows Hall & Watts Defence Optics Ltd to comply with future contractual requirements when dealing with central government contracts, which involve handling sensitive and personal information or the provision of certain technical products and services.

Hall & Watts Holdings Ltd (Hall & Watts) has received a substantial contract for Artillery Muzzle Velocity Radars (MVR) from an East African country.

The purpose of this equipment is to calibrate artillery guns and howitzers and by doing so increase their accuracy. Operator and maintenance training is currently taking place and will be completed soon.

Hall & Watts Holdings Ltd (Hall & Watts) is delighted to announce a Teaming Agreement has been agreed with BAE Global Combat Systems Limited (BAE Systems) for support of the 105mm Light Gun in Botswana and Kenya, for which BAE Systems are the original manufacturer.

Under the conditions of this Teaming Agreement for work related to 105mm Light Gun in Botswana and Kenya, Hall & Watts will collaborate with BAE Systems and be the nominated Prime Contractor for the purposes of preparing and submitting proposals, marketing, negotiating contract opportunities and performing resultant Prime contracts, with BAE Systems to be nominated sub-contractor.

Hall & Watts Defence Optics are proud to receive another GCC defence contract for Artillery related observational equipment valued in excess of US $12m.

Quality of the product, an expert knowledge of its application coupled with well known product support were the major factors in obtaining this significant order.