Local Defense Firm Awarded $100-Million Contract

One of the largest defense firms in the region has been awarded a $100-million contract, Rep. John Murtha said Wednesday.

Murtha said Kuchera Defense Systems in Somerset County was granted a 10-year air-to-air missile project by Raytheon Missile Systems.

He said the contract does not necessarily mean the military is gearing up for 10 more years of fighting in Iraq.

"This war is going to end in the next year or so. There's no question in my mind this war is going to build down," Murtha said.

He said while the war continues, he is in favor of a draft. Murtha said military volunteers are stretched too thin and need relief. However, he said he is not confident a draft will be enacted.

"We don't have the support publicly or within Congress for it. Only two of us voted for the draft," he said.

Murtha said he is adamant that President George W. Bush needs to sign recent legislation to fund troops and begin bringing them home.

He said it is local defense companies that are providing the military with state-of-the-art equipment to survive the war, and when the war is over Kuchera will help replenish military supplies needed to protect the U.S.

The new $100 million contract for Kuchera will create about 40 new jobs for the company, officials said.