Defence contractor Thales is to supply British infantry with a £150m surveillance and target acquisition (STA) package to enable soldiers to dominate the battlefield, as part of the Ministry of Defence's Future Integrated Soldier Technology (Fist) programme.

The deal is designed to enhance the ability of troops on the ground with a 24-hour capability to move, find, fix and strike an enemy. The order was announced at the Defence Sales Exhibition International at the Excel Centre in London.

Deliveries of the new kit will start at the end of 2010 and be available to soldiers for training before being deployed to Afghanistan in early 2012.

Colonel Bill Pointing, team leader of dismounted soldier solutions at Defence Equipment and Support said: “This is a key step in giving the dismounted soldier the equipment that he needs, both for current operations and to support training before deployment."

Fist will provide improved protection, day and night surveillance and target acquisition, and assistance with navigation, command and control and battle preparation. The new thermal sights will allow soldiers to conduct surveillance and engage targets in all weather and light levels, including zero light where normal night sights would be rendered ineffective.

The full Fist package will consist of nearly 11,000 suites of equipment, comprising : thermal sights, close quarter battle sights, commanders’ target locating systems, lightweight day sights, underslung grenade launcher sights, underslung grenade launcher fire control systems, ruggedised digital cameras and lightweight infantry periscopes.

It is intended to enable UK infantry to dominate the battlefield with enhanced optics and improved target location accuracy and result in a significant increase in their ability to kill.

Minister for defence equipment and support, Quentin Davies, said: “The STA package forms the first part of the Fist programme. The new kit that we have ordered will significantly increase the combat effectiveness of the British infantryman."

Other companies involved include Qioptiq, which will manufacture the thermal weapon sight; Istec, which will supply the underslung grenade launcher sight; Shield Public Safety & Defence, for the close quarter battle sight; and Selex System Integration, providing training services.