Avon Technologies PLC has received a $20.6 million order for its FM50 battlefield respirators and FM61EU filters through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), the company announced.
The contract will supply a key European Ministry of Defense as NATO allies strengthen chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) readiness.
According to Avon, deliveries will be made from its Melksham, Wiltshire facility and are scheduled to run through fiscal years 2026 and 2027.
Avon is currently the sole supplier of gas masks to both the U.S. and UK armed forces and provides respiratory protection equipment to more than 16 NATO-aligned nations. The group says the FM50 is “the most operationally proven and widely deployed battlefield respirator in the world.”
In a statement, CEO Jos Sclater said: “The FM50 is the most operationally proven and widely deployed battlefield respirator in the world. We are pleased that a key European MoD has elected to continue protecting its personnel with this world-leading respirator, further demonstrating Avon Protection as the leader in warfighter protection in a structurally heightened global threat environment.”
As noted by the company, the new order highlights the FM50’s central role in European defense planning, particularly as the threat of chemical weapons remains a concern following Russia’s use of such agents in Ukraine. Over 16 European nations are now procuring Avon’s gas masks to prepare for CBRN-contested environments.
The FM50 respirator and associated FM61EU filters are designed for use in battlefield and hazardous conditions, offering full-spectrum protection against chemical and biological agents, toxins, and radiological particles. The system is optimized for integration with a range of modern combat gear, including ballistic helmets and communications equipment.
The order will be fulfilled out of Avon’s production site in Melksham, where the company has maintained operations for over 140 years. Avon began producing gas masks during World War II and has since evolved into a leading manufacturer of respiratory protection through high-tech, NATO-compliant manufacturing processes.
The latest contract follows a broader corporate turnaround for Avon Technologies. The company rejoined the FTSE 250 index in July 2025, marking a return to investor confidence driven by internal performance rather than external demand surges. Since late 2023, Avon’s share price has risen more than 140 percent.
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