Meggitt acquires FATS for US$144m

British defence and aerospace company Meggitt PLC will acquire US training and simulation company Firearms Training Systems, Inc. (FATS). The transaction, which is conditional upon regulatory clearance in the United States, provides a good complementary fit with Meggitt's existing product offering and position in defence systems.

Based in Suwannee, Georgia, FATS is a publicly traded company turning over some US$78.6 million a year, with branch offices in Australia, Canada, Singapore, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. It is a leading provider of simulation and training solutions for military, law enforcement and security organisations around the world. FATS provides judgemental, tactical and combined arms training simulations covering a wide range of weapons fire training situations, including small arms, air defence, anti-armour, vehicle/vessel mounted and air support.

FATS will be incorporated into Meggitt Defence Systems and will increase its product range, improve access to export markets and provide synergy benefits primarily through integration with Meggitt's live fire training systems business.