EXHIBIT 99.1

[COMPANY LOGO]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
                                CONTACT:     SMTEK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
                                             Kirk A. Waldron, CFO
                                             (805) 532-2800, ext. 111



SMTEK SELLS ITS IRELAND FACILITY

MOORPARK, Calif. (April 15, 2003) - SMTEK International, Inc. (Nasdaq:
SMTI / Pacific Exchange: SMK), a provider of electronics manufacturing
services (EMS), today announced that it is has sold its subsidiary
which owns and operates its Ireland facility to a group of Northern
Ireland investors for nominal consideration. The sale of the subsidiary
will reduce SMTEK's liabilities and debt structure. Management believes
that this transaction will improve SMTEK's financial condition on a
consolidated basis. Additionally, it is the intention of both parties
to maintain a strong relationship through an anticipated strategic
alliance agreement whereby each organization can benefit from the
other's strengths.

Edward J. Smith, President and Chief Executive Officer stated, "At the
beginning of our fiscal year we outlined a strategy that called for
taking a hard look at each of our facilities so as to determine their
strategic and fiscal value to our total organization. Even though we
have a tremendous amount of faith and confidence in the Ireland
management team and its facility, SMTEK is better served by this
divestment which will give rise to immediate financial improvement for
us."

He further added, "SMTEK this year has undertaken numerous initiatives
targeting company wide improvement. With these changes in SMTEK's
structure and the reduction in operating losses, we are cautiously
optimistic about our future but need to continue to carefully monitor
our balance sheet condition."

                     *     *     *     *     *

Headquartered in Moorpark, California, SMTEK International, Inc. is an
EMS provider serving original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in the
industrial instrumentation, medical, telecommunications, security,
financial services automation, aerospace and defense industries.  We
provide integrated solutions to OEMs across the entire product life
cycle, from design to manufacturing to end-of-life services, for the
worldwide low to medium volume, high complexity segment of the EMS
industry.  We have five operating facilities with locations in
Moorpark, California; Santa Clara, California; Marlborough,
Massachusetts; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; and the Ayuttya Province in
Thailand.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is
subject to the safe harbor provisions created by those sections.  Any
forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ
materially from actual future events or results.  Readers are cautioned
that forward-looking statements regarding future events and the future
performance of SMTEK International, Inc. involve various risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those described in these statements.

Readers are referred to the documents filed by SMTEK International,
Inc. with the SEC, including our most recent Reports on Forms 10-K, 10-
Q and 8-K, each as it may be amended from time to time, for a more
complete description of important risk factors and other information
with respect to risks and uncertainties relating to the materials in
this press release, as well as to other aspects of our business and
financial condition.