PR Newswire/Les Echos/

Press release

N° 01-09

Saft wins major order from BEL to supply Li-ion batteries for defence
applications

Paris, January 13, 2009 - Saft, world specialist in the design and manufacture
of high-tech batteries for industry, has won an order worth in excess of EUR3
million from Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) for lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries.

The BEL order covers an immediate requirement for a new application for Li-ion
batteries. Working to a very challenging delivery lead time, over the six-month
contract Saft will supply over 200,000 Li-ion cells to BEL as well as a number
of fully integrated battery packs with protection electronics.

About BEL
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), the leading Indian defence electronics
company, manufactures a wide range of cutting-edge Military Communication
Systems, Radars and Sonars, Naval Systems, Telecom & Broadcast Systems,
Electronic Warfare Systems, Tank Electronics, Opto Electronics, Professional
Electronic Components and Solar Powered Systems. With 12,371 employees, BEL has
nine manufacturing units across India and a wide network of offices in India as
well as in New York and Singapore.

For more information, visit BEL at www.bel-india.com 

About Saft
Saft (Euronext: Saft) is a world specialist in the design and manufacture of
high-tech batteries for industry. Saft batteries are used in high performance
applications such as industrial infrastructure and processes, transportation,
space and defence. Saft is the world's leading manufacturer of nickel- cadmium
batteries for industrial applications and of primary lithium batteries for a
wide range of end markets. The group is also the European leader for specialised
advanced technologies for the defence and space industries. With approximately
4,000 employees worldwide, Saft is present in 18 countries. Its 15 manufacturing
sites and extensive sales network enable the group to serve its customers
worldwide. Saft is listed in Paris' Stock Market. The stock is mentioned in SBF
120 index.

For more information, visit Saft at www.saftbatteries.com

Press contacts
Jill Ledger, 
Saft Communications Director, Tel: + 33 1 49 93 17 77; 
e-mail: jill.ledger@saftbatteries.com

Antoine Brenier, 
Saft Specialty Battery Group
Tel: +33 1 49 93 19 18; e-mail:antoine.brenier@saftbatteries.com
                      
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