VALDESE, N.C., 4 May 2009. The Canadian Department of National Defense (DND) ordered 30,000 BA-5590/U lithium-sulfur dioxide (Li- SO2) batteries from Saft in Valdese, N.C., through Kaycom, Saft's representative for military batteries in Canada.

The lithium batteries are part of a one-year contract that has an additional one-year option for an additional 20,000 batteries. The batteries will be used to power several portable military applications such as radio communications and electronics systems.

"Due to urgent requirements from the field, rapid delivery was one of the most important factors in winning this contract," says Thomas Alcide, general manager of Saft's Specialty Battery Group.