A COMPANY that makes lifesaving equipment for some of the largest naval fleets in the world has won a major submarine order and announced a recruitment drive.

Analox Military Systems (AMS) in Stokesley, North Yorkshire, which began trading above a shop 30 years ago, has become a trusted supplier to the British, US, Dutch and Canadian navies.

It has been awarded a contract to supply the Norwegian Navy with two pieces of carbon monoxide monitoring equipment for its each of its six submarines.

AMS will undertake the development, manufacture, installation and commissioning of the systems, with the first due to be delivered in February.

It is vital that the atmosphere on board submarines is carefully managed at all times to limit exposure of the crew to potentially harmful substances.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is one of those substances, typically produced during cooking, incomplete combustion of the diesel engines, or by fire.

It is essential that the crew are able to protect themselves from this silent killer.

AMS’s new CO monitoring system, which is designed specifically for submarines, will be officially launched at defence and security exhibition DSEi in London, in September.

Vicky Brown, of AMS, said: “We’re very proud to be supplying the Norwegian Navy with gas analysis equipment.

“Historically, CO monitoring has been problematic for submarines owing to the presence of hydrogen. AMS’s new system uses an accurate infrared technique and, as a result, is not sensitive to hydrogen, giving the submariners confidence in the accuracy of the monitoring.”

Commander Baard Gjerstad, manager of submarine projects for the Norwegian Defense Logistics Organisation, said: “We needed equipment which would not be affected if hydrogen was present, and Analox Military Systems is able to deliver systems which meet this specific need. We are looking forward to working with AMS on this contract.”

This contract win is announced as the firm introduces a new project manager, Michael Davison, and seeks to expand its engineering team.

It is in the process of employing five members of staff to join the group’s 46-strong workforce.

Ms Brown added: “AMS continues to grow. We are expanding our team and boosting our engineering capability.

“This contract win, and the growth of our team, is testament to the commitment and hard work of everyone at AMS to ensure that we deliver not only world-class products to our clients, but also unbeatable through-life support.

“Most military platforms have operational lives of 25 years plus and, as a result, we need to ensure our equipment is designed and supported to last.”

The firm is working with Hakon Rygh, its Norwegian Distributor, on the installation and commissioning phase of the new contract.