<PAGE>

                                                                     Exhibit 4.3


               RIGHTS AGREEMENT dated as of February 1, 2000, between
          PRIMEX TECHNOLOGIES, INC., a Virginia corporation (the
          "Company"), and THE BANK OF NEW YORK, a New York trust
          company, as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent").

          The Board of Directors of the Company has authorized and declared a
dividend of one Right (as hereinafter defined) for each share of Common Stock,
par value $1 per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock") outstanding at the
Close of Business (as hereinafter defined) on December 31, 1996 (the "Record
Date"), and has authorized the issuance of one Right (as such number may
hereafter be adjusted pursuant to the provisions of this Rights Agreement) with
respect to each share of Common Stock that shall become outstanding between the
Record Date and the earliest of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date or
the Expiration Date (as such terms are hereinafter defined); provided, however,
                                                             --------  -------
that Rights may be issued with respect to shares of Common Stock that shall
become outstanding after the Distribution Date and prior to the earlier of the
Redemption Date or the Expiration Date in accordance with the provisions of
Section 23.  Each Right shall initially represent the right to purchase one two-
thousandth (1/2000) of a share of Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred
Stock, par value $1 per share, of the Company (the "Preferred Shares"), having
the powers, rights and preferences set forth in the Amended and Restated
Articles of Incorporation attached as Exhibit 1.

          Accordingly, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
agreements herein set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:

          SECTION 1.  Certain Definitions.  For purposes of this Rights
                      --------------------
Agreement, the following terms have the meanings indicated:

          "Acquiring Person" shall mean any Person who or which, alone or
           ----------------
together with all Affiliates and Associates of such Person, shall be the
Beneficial Owner of more than 15% of the Common Shares then outstanding but
shall not include (a) the Company, any Subsidiary of the Company, Olin
Corporation (prior to January 15, 1997), any employee benefit plan of the
Company or of any of its Subsidiaries or of Olin Corporation, or any Person
holding Common Shares for or pursuant to the terms of any such employee benefit
plan or (b) any such Person who has become and is such a Beneficial Owner solely
because (i) of a change in the aggregate number of Common Shares outstanding
since the last date on which such Person acquired Beneficial Ownership of any
Common Shares or (ii) it acquired such Beneficial Ownership in the good faith
belief that such acquisition would not (A) cause such Beneficial Ownership to
exceed 15% of the Common Shares then outstanding and such Person relied in good
faith in computing the percentage of its Beneficial Ownership on publicly filed
reports or documents of the Company which are inaccurate or out-of-date or
<PAGE>

(B) otherwise cause a Distribution Date or the adjustment provided for in
Section 11(a) to occur. Notwithstanding clause (b)(ii) of the prior sentence, if
any Person that is not an Acquiring Person due to such clause (b)(ii) does not
reduce its percentage of Beneficial Ownership of Common Shares to 15% or less by
the Close of Business on the fifth Business Day after notice from the Company
(the date of notice being the first day) that such Person's Beneficial Ownership
of Common Shares so exceeds 15%, such Person shall, at the end of such five
Business Day period, become an Acquiring Person (and such clause (b)(ii) shall
no longer apply to such Person). For purposes of this definition, the
determination whether any Person acted in "good faith" shall be conclusively
determined by the Board of Directors of the Company, acting by a vote of those
directors of the Company whose approval would be required to redeem the Rights
under Section 24.

          "Affiliate" and "Associate", when used with reference to any Person,
           ---------       ---------
shall have the respective meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 of the
General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, as in effect on the date
of this Rights Agreement.

          A Person shall be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of, and shall be
                                        ----------------
deemed to "beneficially own", and shall be deemed to have "Beneficial Ownership"
           ----------------                                --------------------
of, any securities:

          (a) which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates
     is deemed to "beneficially own" within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the
     General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, as in effect on the
     date of this Rights Agreement;

          (b) which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or Associates
     has (i) the right to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately
     or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement
     or understanding (written or oral), or upon the exercise of conversion
     rights, exchange rights, rights (other than the Rights), warrants or
     options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed
                            --------  -------
     the Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own, or to have Beneficial
     Ownership of, securities tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer
     made by or on behalf of such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
     Associates until such tendered securities are accepted for purchase or
     exchange thereunder, or (ii) the right to vote pursuant to any agreement,
     arrangement or understanding (written or oral); provided, however, that a
                                                    ---------  -------
     Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to beneficially own,
     any security if (A) the agreement, arrangement or understanding (written or
     oral) to vote such security arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent
     given to such Person in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation
     made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable rules and
     regulations under the Exchange Act and (B) the beneficial ownership of such
     security is not also then reportable on Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act
     (or any comparable or successor report); or
<PAGE>

          (c) which are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by any other
     Person with which such Person or any of such Person's Affiliates or
     Associates has any agreement, arrangement or understanding (written or
     oral) for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except pursuant to a
     revocable proxy as described in clause (b)(ii) of this definition) or
     disposing of any securities of the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing contained in this definition shall cause
a Person ordinarily engaged in business as an underwriter of securities to be
the "Beneficial Owner" of, or to "beneficially own", any securities acquired in
a bona fide firm commitment underwriting pursuant to an underwriting agreement
with the Company.

          "Articles of Amendment" shall mean the Articles of Amendment of the
           ---------------------
Articles of Incorporation of the Company designating and establishing the Series
A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock and setting forth the preferences,
limitations and relative rights of such series of Preferred Stock of the
Company, a copy of which is attached as Exhibit 1.

          "Book Value", when used with reference to Common Shares issued by any
           ----------
Person, shall mean the amount of equity of such Person applicable to each Common
Share, determined (a) in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles in effect on the date as of which such Book Value is to be
determined, (b) using all the consolidated assets and all the consolidated
liabilities of such Person on the date as of which such Book Value is to be
determined, except that no value shall be included in such assets for goodwill
arising from consummation of a business combination, and (c) after giving effect
to (i) the exercise of all rights, options and warrants to purchase such Common
Shares (other than the Rights), and the conversion of all securities convertible
into such Common Shares, at an exercise or conversion price, per Common Share,
which is less than such Book Value before giving effect to such exercise or
conversion (whether or not exercisability or convertibility is conditioned upon
occurrence of a future event), (ii) all dividends and other distributions on the
capital stock of such Person declared prior to the date as of which such Book
Value is to be determined and to be paid or made after such date, and (iii) any
other agreement, arrangement or understanding (written or oral), or transaction
or other action prior to the date as of which such Book Value is to be
determined which would have the effect of thereafter reducing such Book Value.

          "Business Combination" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
           --------------------
11(c)(i).

          "Business Day" shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
           ------------
and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in the Borough of
Manhattan, the City of New York, are authorized or obligated by law or executive
order to close.

          "Close of Business" on any given date shall mean 5:00 p.m., New York
           -----------------
City time, on such date; provided, however, that, if such date is not a Business
                         -------- --------
Day, "Close of
<PAGE>

Business" shall mean 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the next succeeding
Business Day.

          "Common Shares", when used with reference to the Company prior to a
           -------------
Business Combination, shall mean the shares of Common Stock of the Company or
any other shares of capital stock of the Company into which the Common Stock
shall be reclassified or changed.  "Common Shares", when used with reference to
any Person (other than the Company prior to a Business Combination), shall mean
shares of capital stock of such Person (if such Person is a corporation) of any
class or series, or units of equity interests in such Person (if such Person is
not a corporation) of any class or series, the terms of which do not limit (as a
maximum amount and not merely in proportional terms) the amount of dividends or
income payable or distributable on such class or series or the amount of assets
distributable on such class or series upon any voluntary or involuntary
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of such Person and do not provide that
such class or series is subject to redemption at the option of such Person, or
any shares of capital stock or units of equity interests into which the
foregoing shall be reclassified or changed; provided, however, that, if at any
                                            --------  -------
time there shall be more than one such class or series of capital stock or
equity interests of such Person, "Common Shares" of such Person shall include
all such classes and series substantially in the proportion of the total number
of shares or other units of each such class or series outstanding at such time.

          "Common Stock" shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory
           ------------
paragraph of this Rights Agreement.

          "Company" shall have the meaning set forth in the heading of this
           -------
Rights Agreement; provided, however, that if there is a Business Combination,
                  --------  -------
"Company" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11(c)(iii).

          The term "control" with respect to any Person shall mean the power to
                    -------
direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly, by or
through stock ownership, agency or otherwise, or pursuant to or in connection
with an agreement, arrangement or understanding (written or oral) with one or
more other Persons by or through stock ownership, agency or otherwise; and the
terms "controlling" and "controlled" shall have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.

          "Distribution Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(b).
           -----------------

          "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as in
           ------------
effect on the date in question, unless otherwise specifically provided.

          "Exchange Consideration" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
           ----------------------
11(b)(i).

          "Expiration Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7(a).
           ---------------
<PAGE>

          "Major Part", when used with reference to the assets of the Company
           ----------
and its Subsidiaries as of any date, shall mean assets (a) having a fair market
value aggregating 50% or more of the total fair market value of all the assets
of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) as of the date in
question, (b) accounting for 50% or more of the total value (net of depreciation
and amortization) of all the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken
as a whole) as would be shown on a consolidated or combined balance sheet of the
Company and its Subsidiaries as of the date in question, prepared in accordance
with generally accepted accounting principles then in effect, or (c) accounting
for 50% or more of the total amount of earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization or of the revenues of the Company and its
Subsidiaries (taken as a whole) as would be shown on, or derived from, a
consolidated or combined statement of income or operations of the Company and
its Subsidiaries for the period of 12 months ending on the last day of the
Company's monthly accounting period next preceding the date in question,
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles then in
effect.

          "Market Value", when used with reference to Common Shares on any date,
           ------------
shall be deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices, per share, of
such Common Shares for the period which is the shorter of (a) 30 consecutive
Trading Days immediately prior to the date in question or (b) the number of
consecutive Trading Days beginning on the Trading Day immediately after the date
of the first public announcement of the event requiring a determination of the
Market Value and ending on the Trading Day immediately prior to the record date
of such event; provided, however, that, in the event that the Market Value of
               --------  -------
such Common Shares is to be determined in whole or in part during a period
following the announcement by the issuer of such Common Shares of any action of
the type described in Section 12(a) that would require an adjustment thereunder,
then, and in each such case, the Market Value of such Common Shares shall be
appropriately adjusted to reflect the effect of such action on the market price
of such Common Shares.  The closing price for each Trading Day shall be the
closing price quoted on the principal United States securities exchange
registered under the Exchange Act (or any recognized foreign stock exchange) on
which such securities are listed, or, if such securities are not listed on any
such exchange, the average of the closing bid and asked quotations with respect
to a share of such securities on any National Association of Securities Dealers,
Inc. quotations system, or if no such quotations are available, the average of
the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional market maker
making a market in such securities selected by the Board of Directors of the
Company.  If on any such Trading Day no market maker is making a market in such
securities, the closing price of such securities on such Trading Day shall be
deemed to be the fair value of such securities as determined in good faith by
the Board of Directors of the Company (whose determination shall be described in
a statement filed with the Rights Agent and shall be binding on the Rights
Agent, the holders of Rights and all other Persons); provided, however, that for
                                                     --------  -------
the purpose of determining the closing price of the Preferred Shares for any
Trading Day on which there is no such market maker for the Preferred Shares the
closing price on such Trading Day shall be deemed to be the Formula Number (as
defined in the Articles of Incorporation) times the closing price of the Common
Shares of the
<PAGE>

Company on such Trading Day.

          "Person" shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, joint
           ------
venture, association, trust, unincorporated organization or other entity.

          "Preferred Shares" shall have the meaning set forth in the
           ----------------
introductory paragraph of this Rights Agreement.  Any reference in this Rights
Agreement to Preferred Shares shall be deemed to include any authorized fraction
of a Preferred Share, unless the context otherwise requires.

          "Principal Party" shall mean the Surviving Person in a Business
           ---------------
Combination; provided, however, that, if such Surviving Person is a direct or
             --------  -------
indirect Subsidiary of any other Person, "Principal Party" shall mean the Person
which is the ultimate parent of such Surviving Person and which is not itself a
Subsidiary of another Person.  In the event ultimate control of such Surviving
Person is shared by two or more Persons, "Principal Party" shall mean that
Person that is immediately controlled by such two or more Persons.

          "Purchase Price" with respect to each Right shall mean $55, as such
           --------------
amount may from time to time be adjusted as provided herein.  All references
herein to the Purchase Price shall mean the Purchase Price as in effect at the
time in question.

          "Record Date" shall have the meaning set forth in the introductory
           -----------
paragraph of this Rights Agreement.

          "Redemption Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 24(a).
           ---------------

          "Redemption Price" with respect to each Right shall mean $.005, as
           ----------------
such amount may from time to time be adjusted in accordance with Section 12.
All references herein to the Redemption Price shall mean the Redemption Price as
in effect at the time in question.

          "Registered Common Shares" shall mean Common Shares which are, as of
           ------------------------
the date of consummation of a Business Combination, and have continuously been
for the 12 months immediately preceding such date, registered under Section 12
of the Exchange Act.

          "Right Certificate" shall mean a certificate evidencing a Right in
           -----------------
substantially the form attached as Exhibit 2.

          "Rights" shall mean the rights to purchase Preferred Shares (or other
           ------
securities) as provided in this Rights Agreement.

          "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as in effect
           --------------
on the date in question, unless otherwise specifically provided.
<PAGE>

          "Subsidiary" shall mean a Person, at least a majority of the total
           ----------
outstanding voting power (being the power under ordinary circumstances (and not
merely upon the happening of a contingency) to vote in the election of directors
of such Person (if such Person is a corporation) or to participate in the
management and control of such Person (if such Person is not a corporation)) of
which is owned, directly or indirectly, by another Person or by one or more
other Subsidiaries of such other Person or by such other Person and one or more
other Subsidiaries of such other Person.

          "Surviving Person" shall mean (a) the Person which is the continuing
           ----------------
or surviving Person in a consolidation or merger specified in Section
11(c)(i)(A) or 11(c)(i)(B) or (b) the Person to which the Major Part of the
assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries is sold, leased, exchanged or
otherwise transferred or disposed of in a transaction specified in Section
11(c)(i)(C); provided, however, that, if the Major Part of the assets of the
             --------  -------
Company and its Subsidiaries is sold, leased, exchanged or otherwise transferred
or disposed of in one or more related transactions specified in Section
11(c)(i)(C) to more than one Person, the "Surviving Person" in such case shall
mean the Person that acquired assets of the Company and/or its Subsidiaries with
the greatest fair market value in such transaction or transactions.

          "Trading Day" shall mean a day on which the principal securities
           -----------
trading facility (or principal recognized foreign stock exchange, as the case
may be) on which any securities or Rights, as the case may be, are listed or
admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business or, if the
securities or Rights in question are not listed or admitted to trading on any
national securities exchange (or recognized foreign stock exchange, as the case
may be), a Business Day.

          SECTION 2.  Appointment of Rights Agent.  The Company hereby appoints
                      ----------------------------
the Rights Agent to act as agent for the Company in accordance with the terms
and conditions hereof, and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such appointment.
The Company may from time to time appoint one or more co-Rights Agents as it may
deem necessary or desirable upon notice to the Rights Agent (the term "Rights
Agent" being used herein to refer, collectively, to the Rights Agent together
with any such co-Rights Agents).  In the event the Company appoints one or more
co-Rights Agents, the respective duties of the Rights Agent and any co-Rights
Agents shall be as the Company shall determine.

          SECTION 3.  Issue of Rights and Right Certificates.  (a)  One Right
                      ---------------------------------------
shall be associated with each Common Share outstanding on the Record Date, each
additional Common Share that shall become outstanding between the Record Date
and the earliest of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date or the Expiration
Date and each additional Common Share with which Rights are issued after the
Distribution Date but prior to the earlier of the Redemption Date or the
Expiration Date as provided in Section 23;  provided, however, that, if the
                                           ---------  -------
number of outstanding Rights are combined into a smaller number of outstanding
Rights pursuant to Section 12(a), the appropriate fractional Right determined
pursuant to such
<PAGE>

Section shall thereafter be associated with each such Common Share.

          (b)  Until the earlier of (i) such time as the Company learns that a
Person has become an Acquiring Person or (ii) the Close of Business on such
date, if any, as may be designated by the Board of Directors of the Company
following the commencement of, or first public disclosure of an intent to
commence, a tender or exchange offer by any Person (other than the Company, any
Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any of
its Subsidiaries, or any Person holding Common Shares for or pursuant to the
terms of any such employee benefit plan) for outstanding Common Shares, if upon
consummation of such tender or exchange offer such Person could be the
Beneficial Owner of more than 15% of the outstanding Common Shares (the Close of
Business on the earlier of such dates being the "Distribution Date"), (x) the
Rights will be evidenced by the certificates for Common Shares registered in the
names of the holders thereof and not by separate Right Certificates and (y) the
Rights, including the right to receive Right Certificates, will be transferable
only in connection with the transfer of Common Shares.  As soon as practicable
after the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will send, by first-class,
postage-prepaid mail, to each record holder of Common Shares as of the
Distribution Date, at the address of such holder shown on the records of the
Company, a Right Certificate evidencing one whole Right for each Common Share
(or for the number of Common Shares with which one whole Right is then
associated if the number of Rights per Common Share held by such record holder
has been adjusted in accordance with the proviso in Section 3(a)).  If the
number of Rights associated with each Common Share has been adjusted in
accordance with the proviso in Section 3(a), at the time of distribution of the
Right Certificates the Company may make any necessary and appropriate rounding
adjustments so that Right Certificates representing only whole numbers of Rights
are distributed and cash is paid in lieu of any fractional Right in accordance
with Section 15(a).  As of and after the Distribution Date, the Rights will be
evidenced solely by such Right Certificates.

          (c)  With respect to any certificate for Common Shares, until the
earliest of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date or the Expiration Date,
the Rights associated with the Common Shares represented by any such certificate
shall be evidenced by such certificate alone, the registered holders of the
Common Shares shall also be the registered holders of the associated Rights and
the surrender for transfer of any such certificate shall also constitute the
transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Shares represented thereby.
<PAGE>

          (d)  Certificates issued for Common Shares after the Record Date
(including, without limitation, upon transfer or exchange of outstanding Common
Shares), but prior to the earliest of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date
or the Expiration Date, shall have printed  on, written on or otherwise affixed
to them the following legend:

          This certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof to
     certain Rights as set forth in a Rights Agreement dated as of February 1,
     2000, as it may be amended from time to time (the "Rights Agreement"),
     between Primex Technologies, Inc. (the "Company") and The Bank of New York,
     as Rights Agent (the "Rights Agent"), the terms of which are hereby
     incorporated herein by reference and a copy of which is on file at the
     principal executive offices of the Company.  Under certain circumstances,
     as set forth in the Rights Agreement, such Rights will be evidenced by
     separate certificates and will no longer be evidenced by this certificate.
     The Rights Agent will mail to the holder of this certificate a copy of the
     Rights Agreement without charge after receipt of a written request
     therefor.  Rights beneficially owned by Acquiring Persons or their
     Affiliates or Associates (as such terms are defined in the Rights
     Agreement) and by any subsequent holder of such Rights are null and void
     and nontransferable.

          Notwithstanding this paragraph (d), the omission of a legend shall not
affect the enforceability of any part of this Rights Agreement or the rights of
any holder of Rights.

          SECTION 4.  Form of Right Certificates.  The Right Certificates (and
                      ---------------------------
the form of election to purchase and form of assignment to be printed on the
reverse side thereof) shall be in substantially the form set forth as Exhibit 2
and may have such marks of identification or designation and such legends,
summaries or endorsements printed thereon as the Company may deem appropriate
and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Rights Agreement, or as
may be required to comply with any applicable law or with any rule or regulation
made pursuant thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on
which the Rights may from time to time be listed, or to conform to usage.
Subject to the provisions of Sections 7, 11 and 23, the Right Certificates,
whenever issued, shall be dated as of the Distribution Date, and on their face
shall entitle the holders thereof to purchase such number of Preferred Shares as
shall be set forth therein for the Purchase Price set forth therein, subject to
adjustment from time to time as herein provided.

          SECTION 5.  Execution, Countersignature and Registration.  (a)  The
                      ---------------------------------------------
Right Certificates shall be executed on behalf of the Company by the Chairman of
the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief Operating
Officer, the Treasurer or a Vice President (whether preceded by any additional
title) of the Company, either manually or by facsimile signature, and have
affixed thereto the Company's seal or a facsimile thereof which shall be
attested by the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary or a Vice President (whether
preceded by any additional title, provided that such Vice President shall not
have also executed the Right Certificates) of the Company, either manually or by
facsimile signature.
<PAGE>

The Right Certificates shall be manually countersigned by the Rights Agent and
shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose unless so countersigned. In
case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Right
Certificates shall cease to be such an officer of the Company before
countersignature by the Rights Agent and issuance and delivery by the Company,
such Right Certificates may nevertheless be countersigned by the Rights Agent
and issued and delivered by the Company with the same force and effect as though
the person who signed such Right Certificates had not ceased to be such an
officer of the Company; and any Right Certificate may be signed on behalf of the
Company by any person who, at the actual date of execution of such Right
Certificate, shall be a proper officer of the Company to sign such Right
Certificate, although at the date of execution of this Rights Agreement any such
person was not such an officer of the Company.

          (b)  Following the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will keep or
cause to be kept, at its principal office in New York, New York, books for
registration and transfer of the Right Certificates issued hereunder.  Such
books shall show the names and addresses of the respective holders of the Right
Certificates, the number of Rights evidenced by each of the Right Certificates,
the certificate number of each of the Right Certificates and the date of each of
the Right Certificates.
<PAGE>

          SECTION 6.  Transfer, Split-Up, Combination and Exchange of Right
                      -----------------------------------------------------
Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Right Certificates;
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Uncertificated Rights.  (a)  Subject to the provisions of Sections 7(e) and 15,
----------------------
at any time after the Distribution Date, and at or prior to the Close of
Business on the earlier of the Redemption Date or the Expiration Date, any Right
Certificate or Right Certificates may be transferred, split-up, combined or
exchanged for another Right Certificate or Right Certificates representing, in
the aggregate, the same number of Rights as the Right Certificate or Right
Certificates surrendered then represented.  Any registered holder desiring to
transfer, split-up, combine or exchange any Right Certificate shall make such
request in writing delivered to the Rights Agent and shall surrender the Right
Certificate or Right Certificates to be transferred, split- up, combined or
exchanged at the principal office of the Rights Agent; provided, however, that
                                                       --------  -------
neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to take any action
whatsoever with respect to the transfer of any Right Certificate surrendered for
transfer until the registered holder shall have completed and signed the
certification contained in the form of assignment on the reverse side of such
Right Certificate and shall have provided such additional evidence of the
identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or
Associates thereof as the Company shall reasonably request.  Thereupon the
Rights Agent shall, subject to Sections 7(e) and 15, countersign and deliver to
the Person entitled thereto a Right Certificate or Right Certificates, as the
case may be, as so requested.  The Company may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge that may be imposed in
connection with any transfer, split-up, combination or exchange of Right
Certificates.

          (b)  Upon receipt by the Company or the Rights Agent of evidence
reasonably satisfactory to them of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of
a valid Right Certificate, and, in case of loss, theft or destruction, of
indemnity or security reasonably satisfactory to them, and, at the Company's
request, reimbursement to the Company and the Rights Agent of all reasonable
expenses incidental thereto, and upon surrender to the Rights Agent and
cancellation of the Right Certificate if mutilated, the Company will make a new
Right Certificate of like tenor and deliver such new Right Certificate to the
Rights Agent for delivery to the registered owner in lieu of the Right
Certificate so lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated.

          (c)  Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, the Company and the
Rights Agent may amend this Rights Agreement to provide for uncertificated
Rights in addition to or in place of Rights evidenced by Right Certificates.

          SECTION 7.  Exercise of Rights; Expiration Date of Rights.  (a)
                      ----------------------------------------------
Subject to Section 7(e) and except as otherwise provided herein (including
Section 11), each Right shall entitle the registered holder thereof, upon
exercise thereof as provided herein, to purchase for the Purchase Price, at any
time after the Distribution Date and at or prior to the earlier of (i) the Close
of Business on December 19, 2006 (the Close of Business on such date being the
"Expiration Date") or (ii) the Redemption Date, one two-thousandth (1/2000) of a
Preferred
<PAGE>

Share, subject to adjustment from time to time as provided in Sections 11 and
12.

          (b)  The registered holder of any Right Certificate may exercise the
Rights evidenced thereby (except as otherwise provided herein) in whole or in
part at any time after the Distribution Date, upon surrender of the Right
Certificate, with the form of election to purchase on the reverse side thereof
duly executed, to the Rights Agent at the principal office of the Rights Agent
in Richfield Park, New Jersey, together with payment of the Purchase Price for
each one two-thousandth (1/2000) of a Preferred Share as to which the Rights are
exercised, at or prior to the earlier of (i) the Expiration Date or (ii) the
Redemption Date.

          (c)  Upon receipt of a Right Certificate representing exercisable
Rights, with the form of election to purchase duly executed, accompanied by
payment of the Purchase Price for the Preferred Shares to be purchased together
with an amount equal to any applicable transfer tax, in lawful money of the
United States of America, in cash or by certified check or money order payable
to the order of the Company, the Rights Agent shall thereupon (i) either (A)
promptly requisition from any transfer agent of the Preferred Shares (or make
available, if the Rights Agent is the transfer agent) certificates for the
number of Preferred Shares to be purchased and the Company hereby irrevocably
authorizes its transfer agent to comply with all such requests or (B) if the
Company shall have elected to deposit the Preferred Shares with a depositary
agent under a depositary arrangement, promptly requisition from the depositary
agent depositary receipts representing the number of two thousandths (1/2000s)
of a Preferred Share to be purchased (in which case certificates for the
Preferred Shares to be represented by such receipts shall be deposited by the
transfer agent with the depositary agent) and the Company will direct the
depositary agent to comply with all such requests, (ii) when appropriate,
promptly requisition from the Company the amount of cash to be paid in lieu of
issuance of fractional shares in accordance with Section 15, (iii) promptly
after receipt of such certificates or depositary receipts, cause the same to be
delivered to or upon the order of the registered holder of such Right
Certificate, registered in such name or names as may be designated by such
holder and (iv) when appropriate, after receipt promptly deliver such cash to or
upon the order of the registered holder of such Right Certificate.

          (d)  In case the registered holder of any Right Certificate shall
exercise fewer than all the Rights evidenced thereby, a new Right Certificate
evidencing Rights equivalent to the Rights remaining unexercised shall be issued
by the Rights Agent and delivered to the registered holder of such Right
Certificate or to his duly authorized assigns, subject to the provisions of
Section 15.

          (e)  Notwithstanding anything in this Rights Agreement to the
contrary, any Rights that are at any time beneficially owned by (i) an Acquiring
Person or an Associate or Affiliate of an Acquiring Person, (ii) a transferee of
an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a
transferee after the Acquiring Person becomes such, or (iii) a transferee of an
Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or Affiliate) who becomes a
transferee prior to or concurrently with the Acquiring Person becoming such and
receives
<PAGE>

such Rights pursuant to either (A) a transfer (whether or not for consideration)
from the Acquiring Person to holders of equity interests in such Acquiring
Person or to any Person with whom the Acquiring Person has any continuing
agreement, arrangement or understanding regarding the transferred Rights or (B)
a transfer which the Board of Directors of the Company has determined is part of
a plan, arrangement or understanding which has as a primary purpose or effect
the avoidance of this Section 7(e), shall become null and void without any
further action and no holder of such Rights shall have any rights whatsoever
with respect to such Rights, whether under any provision of this Rights
Agreement or otherwise. The Company shall use all reasonable efforts to ensure
that the provisions of this Section 7(e) are complied with, but shall have no
liability to any holder of any Right Certificate or any other Person as a result
of its failure to make any determinations with respect to an Acquiring Person or
its Affiliate or Associate, or any transferee thereof, hereunder.

          (f)  Notwithstanding anything in this Rights Agreement to the
contrary, neither the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to
undertake any action with respect to a registered holder of any Right
Certificates upon the occurrence of any purported exercise as set forth in this
Section 7 unless such registered holder shall have (i) completed and signed the
certificate contained in the form of election to purchase set forth on the
reverse side of the Right Certificate surrendered for such exercise and (ii)
provided such additional evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner (or
former Beneficial Owner) or Affiliates or Associates thereof as the Company
shall reasonably request.

          (g)  The Company may temporarily suspend, for a period of time not to
exceed 90 calendar days after the Distribution Date, the exercisability of the
Rights in order to prepare and file a registration statement under the
Securities Act, on an appropriate form, with respect to the Preferred Shares
purchasable upon exercise of the Rights and permit such registration statement
to become effective; provided, however, that no such suspension shall remain
                     --------  -------
effective after, and the Rights shall without any further action by the Company
or any other Person become exercisable immediately upon, the effectiveness of
such registration statement.  Upon any such suspension, the Company shall issue
a public announcement stating that the exercisability of the Rights has been
temporarily suspended and shall issue a further public announcement at such time
as the suspension is no longer in effect.  Notwithstanding any provision herein
to the contrary, the Rights shall not be exercisable in any jurisdiction if the
requisite qualification under the blue sky or securities laws of such
jurisdiction shall not have been obtained or the exercise of the Rights shall
not be permitted under applicable law.

          SECTION 8.  Cancellation and Destruction of Right Certificates.  All
                      ---------------------------------------------------
Right Certificates surrendered or presented for the purpose of exercise,
transfer, split-up, combination or exchange shall, and any Right Certificate
representing Rights that have become null and void and nontransferable pursuant
to Section 7(e) surrendered or presented for any purpose shall, if surrendered
or presented to the Company or to any of its agents, be delivered to the Rights
Agent for cancellation or in canceled form, or, if surrendered or
<PAGE>

                                                                              14

presented to the Rights Agent, shall be canceled by it, and no Right
Certificates shall be issued in lieu thereof except as expressly permitted by
this Rights Agreement. The Company shall deliver to the Rights Agent for
cancellation and retirement, and the Rights Agent shall so cancel and retire,
any Right Certificate purchased or acquired by the Company. The Rights Agent
shall deliver all canceled Right Certificates to the Company pursuant to a
written agreement that the Company maintain such certificates for such period of
time as required by law, or shall, at the written request of the Company,
destroy such canceled Right Certificates, and in such case shall deliver a
certificate of destruction thereof to the Company.

          SECTION 9.  Reservation and Availability of Preferred Shares.  (a)
                      -------------------------------------------------
The Company covenants and agrees that it will cause to be reserved and kept
available out of its authorized and unissued Preferred Shares or any authorized
and issued Preferred Shares held in its treasury, free from preemptive rights or
any right of first refusal, a number of Preferred Shares sufficient to permit
the exercise in full of all outstanding Rights.

          (b)  In the event that there shall not be sufficient Preferred Shares
issued but not outstanding or authorized but unissued to permit the exercise or
exchange of Rights in accordance with Section 11, the Company covenants and
agrees that it will take all such action as may be necessary to authorize
additional Preferred Shares for issuance upon the exercise or exchange of Rights
pursuant to Section 11; provided, however, that if the Company is unable to
                        --------  -------
cause the authorization of additional Preferred Shares, then the Company shall,
or in lieu of seeking any such authorization, the Company may, to the extent
necessary and permitted by applicable law and any agreements or instruments in
effect prior to the Distribution Date to which it is a party, (i) upon surrender
of a Right, pay cash equal to the Purchase Price in lieu of issuing Preferred
Shares and requiring payment therefor, (ii) upon due exercise of a Right and
payment of the Purchase Price for each Preferred Share as to which such Right is
exercised, issue equity securities having a value equal to the value of the
Preferred Shares which otherwise would have been issuable pursuant to Section
11, which value shall be determined by a nationally recognized investment
banking firm selected by the Board of Directors of the Company or (iii) upon due
exercise of a Right and payment of the Purchase Price for each Preferred Share
as to which such Right is exercised, distribute a combination of Preferred
Shares, cash and/or other equity and/or debt securities having an aggregate
value equal to the value of the Preferred Shares which otherwise would have been
issuable pursuant to Section 11, which value shall be determined by a nationally
recognized investment banking firm selected by the Board of Directors of the
Company.  To the extent that any legal or contractual restrictions (pursuant to
agreements or instruments in effect prior to the Distribution Date to which it
is party) prevent the Company from paying the full amount payable in accordance
with the foregoing sentence, the Company shall pay to holders of the Rights as
to which such payments are being made all amounts which are not then restricted
on a pro rata basis as such payments become permissible under such legal or
contractual restrictions until such payments have been paid in full.

          (c)  The Company covenants and agrees that it will take all such
action as may
<PAGE>

                                                                              15

be necessary to ensure that all Preferred Shares delivered upon exercise or
exchange of Rights shall, at the time of delivery of the certificates for such
Preferred Shares (subject to payment of the Purchase Price), be duly and validly
authorized and issued and fully paid and nonassessable shares.

          (d)  So long as the Preferred Shares issuable upon the exercise or
exchange of Rights are to be listed on any national securities exchange, the
Company covenants and agrees to use its best efforts to cause, from and after
such time as the Rights become exercisable or exchangeable, all Preferred Shares
reserved for such issuance to be listed on such securities exchange upon
official notice of issuance upon such exercise or exchange.

          (e)  The Company further covenants and agrees that it will pay when
due and payable any and all Federal and state transfer taxes and charges which
may be payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of Right Certificates or
of any Preferred Shares or Common Shares or other securities upon the exercise
or exchange of the Rights.  The Company shall not, however, be required to pay
any transfer tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer or delivery of
Right Certificates to a Person other than, or in respect of the issuance or
delivery of certificates for the Preferred Shares or Common Shares or other
securities, as the case may be, in a name other than that of, the registered
holder of the Right Certificate evidencing Rights surrendered for exercise or
exchange or to issue or deliver any certificates for Preferred Shares or Common
Shares or other securities, as the case may be, upon the exercise or exchange of
any Rights until any such tax shall have been paid (any such tax being payable
by the holder of such Right Certificate at the time of surrender) or until it
has been established to the Company's satisfaction that no such tax is due.

          SECTION 10.  Preferred Shares Record Date.  Each Person in whose name
                       -----------------------------
any certificate for Preferred Shares or Common Shares or other securities is
issued upon the exercise or exchange of Rights shall for all purposes be deemed
to have become the holder of record of the Preferred Shares or Common Shares or
other securities, as the case may be, represented thereby on, and such
certificate shall be dated, the date upon which the Right Certificate evidencing
such Rights was duly surrendered and payment of any Purchase Price (and any
applicable transfer taxes) was made; provided, however, that, if the date of
                                     --------  -------
such surrender and payment is a date upon which the transfer books of the
Company for the Preferred Shares or Common Shares or other securities, as the
case may be, are closed, such Person shall be deemed to have become the record
holder of such Preferred Shares or Common Shares or other securities, as the
case may be, on, and such certificate shall be dated as of, the next succeeding
Business Day on which the transfer books of the Company for the Preferred Shares
or Common Shares or other securities, as the case may be, are open.
<PAGE>

                                                                              16

          SECTION 11.  Adjustments in Rights After There Is an Acquiring Person;
                       ---------------------------------------------------------
Exchange of Rights for Shares; Business Combinations.  (a)  Upon a Person
-----------------------------------------------------
becoming an Acquiring Person, proper provision shall be made so that each holder
of a Right, except as provided in Section 7(e), shall thereafter have a right to
receive, upon exercise thereof for the Purchase Price in accordance with the
terms of this Rights Agreement, such number of two-thousandths (1/2000s) of a
Preferred Share as shall equal the result obtained by multiplying the Purchase
Price by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of two thousandths
(1/2000s) of a Preferred Share for which a Right is then exercisable and the
denominator of which is 50% of the Market Value of the Common Shares on the date
on which a Person becomes an Acquiring Person.  As soon as practicable after a
Person becomes an Acquiring Person (provided the Company shall not have elected
to make the exchange permitted by Section 11(b)(i) for all outstanding Rights),
the Company covenants and agrees to use its best efforts to:

          (i)   prepare and file a registration statement under the Securities
     Act, on an appropriate form, with respect to the Preferred Shares
     purchasable upon exercise of the Rights;

          (ii)  cause such registration statement to become effective as soon as
     practicable after such filing;

          (iii) cause such registration statement to remain effective (with a
     prospectus at all times meeting the requirements of the Securities Act)
     until the Expiration Date; and

          (iv)  qualify or register the Preferred Shares purchasable upon
     exercise of the Rights under the blue sky or securities laws of such
     jurisdictions as may be necessary or appropriate.

          (b)(i)  The Board of Directors of the Company may, at its option, at
any time after a Person becomes an Acquiring Person, mandatorily exchange all or
part of the then outstanding and exercisable Rights (which shall not include
Rights that shall have become null and void and nontransferable pursuant to the
provisions of Section 7(e)) for consideration per Right consisting of either
one-half of the securities that would be issuable at such time upon the exercise
of one Right in accordance with Section 11(a) or, if applicable, Section
9(b)(ii) or (iii) or, if applicable the cash consideration specified in Section
9(b)(i) (the consideration issuable per Right pursuant to this Section 11(b)(i)
being the "Exchange Consideration").  The Board of Directors of the Company may,
at its option, issue, in substitution for Preferred Shares, Common Shares in an
amount per Preferred Share equal to the Formula Number (as defined in the
Articles of Amendment) if there are sufficient Common Shares issued but not
outstanding or authorized but unissued.  If the Board of Directors of the
Company elects to exchange all the Rights for Exchange Consideration pursuant to
this Section 11(b)(i) prior to the physical distribution of the Rights
Certificates, the Corporation may distribute the Exchange Consideration in lieu
of distributing Right
<PAGE>

                                                                              17

Certificates, in which case for purposes of this Rights Agreement holders of
Rights shall be deemed to have simultaneously received and surrendered for
exchange Right Certificates on the date of such distribution.

          (ii)  Any action of the Board of Directors of the Company ordering the
exchange of any Rights pursuant to Section 11(b)(i) shall be irrevocable and,
immediately upon the taking of such action and without any further action and
without any notice, the right to exercise any such Right pursuant to Section
11(a) shall terminate and the only right thereafter of a holder of such Right
shall be to receive the Exchange Consideration in exchange for each such Right
held by such holder or, if the Exchange Consideration shall not have been paid
or issued, to exercise any such Right pursuant to Section 11(c)(i).  The Company
shall promptly give public notice of any such exchange; provided, however, that
                                                        --------  -------
the failure to give, or any defect in, such notice shall not affect the validity
of such exchange.  The Company promptly shall mail a notice of any such exchange
to all holders of such Rights at their last addresses as they appear upon the
registry books of the Rights Agent.  Any notice which is mailed in the manner
herein provided shall be deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the
notice.  Each such notice of exchange will state the method by which the
exchange of the Rights for the Exchange Consideration will be effected and, in
the event of any partial exchange, the number of Rights which will be exchanged.
Any partial exchange shall be effected pro rata based on the number of Rights
(other than Rights which shall have become null and void and nontransferable
pursuant to the provisions of Section 7(e)) held by each holder of Rights.

          (c)(i)  In the event that, following a Distribution Date, directly or
indirectly, any transactions specified in the following clause (A), (B) or (C)
of this Section 11(c) (each such transaction being a "Business Combination")
shall be consummated:

          (A) the Company shall consolidate with, or merge with and into, any
     Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person;

          (B) any Acquiring Person or any Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring
     Person shall merge with and into the Company and, in connection with such
     merger, all or part of the Common Shares shall be changed into or exchanged
     for capital stock or other securities of the Company or of any Acquiring
     Person or Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person or cash or any
     other property; or

          (C) the Company shall sell, lease, exchange or otherwise transfer or
     dispose of (or one or more of its Subsidiaries shall sell, lease, exchange
     or otherwise transfer or dispose of), in one or more transactions, the
     Major Part of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries (taken as a
     whole) to any Acquiring Person
<PAGE>

                                                                              18

     or any Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person;

then, in each such case, proper provision shall be made so that each holder of a
Right, except as provided in Section 7(e), shall thereafter have the right to
receive, upon the exercise thereof for the Purchase Price in accordance with the
terms of this Rights Agreement, the securities specified below (or, at such
holder's option, the securities specified in Section 11(a)):

     (x) if the Principal Party in such Business Combination has Registered
     Common Shares outstanding, each Right shall thereafter represent the right
     to receive, upon the exercise thereof for the Purchase Price in accordance
     with the terms of this Rights Agreement, such number of Registered Common
     Shares of such Principal Party, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances
     or other adverse claims, as shall have an aggregate Market Value equal to
     the result obtained by multiplying the Purchase Price by two; or

     (y) if the Principal Party involved in such Business Combination does not
     have Registered Common Shares outstanding, each Right shall thereafter
     represent the right to receive, upon the exercise thereof for the Purchase
     Price in accordance with the terms of this Rights Agreement, at the
     election of the holder of such Right at the time of the exercise thereof,
     any of:

          (1) such number of Common Shares of the Surviving Person in such
     Business Combination as shall have an aggregate Book Value immediately
     after giving effect to such Business Combination equal to the result
     obtained by multiplying the Purchase Price by two;

          (2) such number of Common Shares of the Principal Party in such
     Business Combination (if the Principal Party is not also the Surviving
     Person in such Business Combination) as shall have an aggregate Book Value
     immediately after giving effect to such Business Combination equal to the
     result obtained by multiplying the Purchase Price by two; or

          (3) if the Principal Party in such Business Combination is an
     Affiliate of one or more Persons which has Registered Common Shares
     outstanding, such number of Registered Common Shares of whichever of such
     Affiliates of the Principal Party has Registered Common Shares with the
     greatest aggregate Market Value on the date of consummation of such
     Business Combination as shall have an aggregate Market Value on the date of
     such Business Combination equal to the result obtained by multiplying the
     Purchase Price by two.

          (ii)  The Company shall not consummate any Business Combination unless
each issuer of Common Shares for which Rights may be exercised, as set forth in
this Section 11(c), shall have sufficient authorized Common Shares that have not
been issued or reserved for issuance (and which shall, when issued upon exercise
thereof in accordance with
<PAGE>

                                                                              19

this Rights Agreement, be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free
of preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or any other restrictions or
limitations on the transfer or ownership thereof) to permit the exercise in full
of the Rights in accordance with this Section 11(c) and unless prior thereto:

          (A) a registration statement under the Securities Act on an
     appropriate form, with respect to the Rights and the Common Shares of such
     issuer purchasable upon exercise of the Rights, shall be effective under
     the Securities Act; and

          (B) the Company and each such issuer shall have:

               (1) executed and delivered to the Rights Agent a supplemental
          agreement providing for the assumption by such issuer of the
          obligations set forth in this Section 11(c) (including the obligation
          of such issuer to issue Common Shares upon the exercise of Rights in
          accordance with the terms set forth in Sections 11(c)(i) and
          11(c)(iii)) and further providing that such issuer, at its own
          expense, will use its best efforts to:

                    (x) cause a registration statement under the Securities Act
               on an appropriate form, with respect to the Rights and the Common
               Shares of such issuer purchasable upon exercise of the Rights, to
               remain effective (with a prospectus at all times meeting the
               requirements of the Securities Act) until the Expiration Date;

                    (y) qualify or register the Rights and the Common Shares of
               such issuer purchasable upon exercise of the Rights under the
               blue sky or securities laws of such jurisdictions as may be
               necessary or appropriate; and

                    (z) list the Rights and the Common Shares of such issuer
               purchasable upon exercise of the Rights on each national
               securities exchange on which the Common Shares were listed prior
               to the consummation of the Business Combination or, if the Common
               Shares were not listed on a national securities exchange prior to
               the consummation of the Business Combination, on a national
               securities exchange;

               (2) furnished to the Rights Agent a written opinion of
          independent counsel stating that such supplemental agreement is a
          valid, binding and enforceable agreement of such issuer; and

               (3) filed with the Rights Agent a certificate of a nationally
          recognized firm of independent accountants setting forth the number of
          Common Shares
<PAGE>

                                                                              20

          of such issuer which may be purchased upon the exercise of each Right
          after the consummation of such Business Combination.

          (iii)  After consummation of any Business Combination and subject to
the provisions of Section 11(c)(ii), (A) each issuer of Common Shares for which
Rights may be exercised as set forth in this Section 11(c) shall be liable for,
and shall assume, by virtue of such Business Combination, all the obligations
and duties of the Company pursuant to this Rights Agreement, (B) the term
"Company" shall thereafter be deemed to refer to such issuer, (C) each such
issuer shall take such steps in connection with such consummation as may be
necessary to assure that the provisions hereof (including the provisions of
Sections 11(a) and 11(c)) shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as
reasonably may be, in relation to its Common Shares thereafter deliverable upon
the exercise of the Rights and (D) the number of Common Shares of each such
issuer thereafter receivable upon exercise of any Right shall be subject to
adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as
practicable to the provisions of Sections 11 and 12 and the provisions of
Section 7, 9 and 10 with respect to the Preferred Shares shall apply, as nearly
as reasonably may be, on like terms to any such Common Shares.

          SECTION 12.  Certain Adjustments.  (a)  To preserve the actual or
                       --------------------
potential economic value of the Rights, if at any time after the date of this
Rights Agreement there shall be any change in the Common Shares or the Preferred
Shares, whether by reason of stock dividends, stock splits, recapitalizations,
mergers, consolidations, combinations or exchanges of securities, split-ups,
split-offs, spin-offs, liquidations, other similar changes in capitalization,
any distribution or issuance of cash, assets, evidences of indebtedness or
subscription rights, options or warrants to holders of Common Shares or
Preferred Shares, as the case may be (other than distribution of the Rights or
regular quarterly cash dividends) or otherwise, then, in each such event the
Board of Directors of the Company shall make such appropriate adjustments in the
number of Preferred Shares (or the number and kind of other securities) issuable
upon exercise of each Right, the Purchase Price and Redemption Price in effect
at such time and the number of Rights outstanding at such time (including the
number of Rights or fractional Rights associated with each Common Share) such
that following such adjustment such event shall not have had the effect of
reducing or limiting the benefits the holders of the Rights would have had
absent such event.

          (b)  If, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section 12(a),
the holder of any Right thereafter exercised shall become entitled to receive
any securities other than Preferred Shares, thereafter the number of such
securities so receivable upon exercise of any Right shall be subject to
adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent as
practicable to the provisions of Sections 11 and 12 and the provisions of
Sections 7, 9 and 10 with respect to the Preferred Shares shall apply, as nearly
as reasonably may be, on like terms to any such other securities.

          (c)  All Rights originally issued by the Company subsequent to any
adjustment
<PAGE>

                                                                              21

made to the amount of Preferred Shares or other securities relating to a Right
shall evidence the right to purchase, for the Purchase Price, the adjusted
number and kind of securities purchasable from time to time hereunder upon
exercise of the Rights, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.

          (d)  Irrespective of any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price or
the number of Preferred Shares or number or kind of other securities issuable
upon the exercise of the Rights, the Right Certificates theretofore and
thereafter issued may continue to express the terms which were expressed in the
initial Right Certificates issued hereunder.

          (e)  In any case in which action taken pursuant to Section 12(a)
requires that an adjustment be made effective as of a record date for a
specified event, the Company may elect to defer until the occurrence of such
event the issuing to the holder of any Right exercised after such record date
the Preferred Shares and/or other securities, if any, issuable upon such
exercise over and above the Preferred Shares and/or other securities, if any,
issuable before giving effect to such adjustment; provided, however, that the
                                                  --------  -------
Company shall deliver to such holder a due bill or other appropriate instrument
evidencing such holder's right to receive such additional securities upon the
occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment.

          SECTION 13.  Certificate of Adjustment.  Whenever an adjustment is
                       --------------------------
made as provided in Section 11 or 12, the Company shall (a) promptly prepare a
certificate setting forth such adjustment and a brief statement of the facts
accounting for such adjustment, (b) promptly file with the Rights Agent and with
each transfer agent for the Preferred Shares a copy of such certificate and (c)
mail a brief summary thereof to each holder of a Right Certificate (or, prior to
the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares) in accordance with Section 25.  The
Rights Agent shall be fully protected in relying on any such certificate and on
any adjustment therein contained.

          SECTION 14.  Additional Covenants.  (a)  Notwithstanding any other
                       ---------------------
provision of this Rights Agreement, no adjustment to the number of Preferred
Shares (or fractions of a share) or other securities for which a Right is
exercisable or the number of Rights outstanding or associated with each Common
Share or any similar or other adjustment shall be made or be effective if such
adjustment would have the effect of reducing or limiting the benefits the
holders of the Rights would have had absent such adjustment, including, without
limitation, the benefits under Sections 11 and 12, unless the terms of this
Rights Agreement are amended so as to preserve such benefits.

          (b)  The Company covenants and agrees that, after the Distribution
Date, except as permitted by Section 26, it will not take (or permit any
Subsidiary of the Company to take) any action if at the time such action is
taken it is intended or reasonably foreseeable that such action will reduce or
otherwise limit the benefits the holders of the Rights would have had absent
such action, including, without limitation, the benefits under Sections 11 and
12.  Any action taken by the Company during any period after any Person becomes
an
<PAGE>

                                                                              22

Acquiring Person but prior to the Distribution Date shall be null and void
unless such action could be taken under this Section 14(b) from and after the
Distribution Date.  The Company shall not consummate any Business Combination if
any issuer of Common Shares for which Rights may be exercised after such
Business Combination in accordance with Section 11(c) shall have taken any
action that reduces or otherwise limits the benefits the holders of the Rights
would have had absent such action, including, without limitation, the benefits
under Sections 11 and 12.

          SECTION 15.  Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares.  (a)  The
                       ----------------------------------------
Company may, but shall not be required to, issue fractions of Rights or
distribute Right Certificates which evidence fractional Rights.  In lieu of such
fractional Rights, the Company may pay to the registered holders of the Right
Certificates with regard to which such fractional Rights would otherwise be
issuable an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market
value of a whole Right.  For purposes of this Section 15(a), the current market
value of a whole Right shall be the closing price of the Rights (as determined
pursuant to the second and third sentences of the definition of Market Value
contained in Section 1) for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date on
which such fractional Rights would have been otherwise issuable.

          (b)  The Company may, but shall not be required to, issue fractions of
Preferred Shares upon exercise of the Rights or distribute certificates which
evidence fractional Preferred Shares.  In lieu of fractional Preferred Shares,
the Company may elect to (i) utilize a depository arrangement as provided by the
terms of the Preferred Shares or (ii) in the case of a fraction of a Preferred
Share (other than one two-thousandth (1/2000) of a Preferred Share or any
integral multiple thereof), pay to the registered holders of Right Certificates
at the time such Rights are exercised as herein provided an amount in cash equal
to the same fraction of the current market value of one Preferred Share, if any
are outstanding and publicly traded (or the Formula Number times the current
market value of one Common Share if the Preferred Shares are not outstanding and
publicly traded).  For purposes of this Section 15(b), the current market value
of a Preferred Share (or Common Share) shall be the closing price of a Preferred
Share (or Common Share) (as determined pursuant to the second and third
sentences of the definition of Market Value contained in Section 1) for the
Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise.  If, as a result of
an adjustment made pursuant to Section 12(a), the holder of any Right thereafter
exercised shall become entitled to receive any securities other than Preferred
Shares, the provisions of this Section 15(b) shall apply, as nearly as
reasonably may be, on like terms to such other securities.

          (c)  The Company may, but shall not be required to, issue fractions of
Common Shares upon exchange of Rights pursuant to Section 11(b), or to
distribute certificates which evidence fractional Common Shares.  In lieu of
such fractional Common Shares, the Company may pay to the registered holders of
the Right Certificates with regard to which such fractional Common Shares would
otherwise be issuable an amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the
current Market Value of one Common Share as of the date on which a
<PAGE>

                                                                              23

Person became an Acquiring Person.

          (d)  The holder of Rights by the acceptance of the Rights expressly
waives his right to receive any fractional Rights or any fractional shares upon
exercise of a Right except as provided in this Section 15.

          SECTION 16.  Rights of Action.  (a)  All rights of action in respect
                       -----------------
of this Rights Agreement are vested in the respective registered holders of the
Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the registered holders
of the Common Shares); and any registered holder of any Right Certificate (or,
prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares), without the consent of
the Rights Agent or of the holder of any other Right Certificate (or, prior to
the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares) may, in his own behalf and for his
own benefit, enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or
proceeding against the Company to enforce, or otherwise act in respect of, his
right to exercise the Rights evidenced by such Right Certificate in the manner
provided in such Right Certificate and in this Rights Agreement.  Without
limiting the foregoing or any remedies available to the holders of Rights, it is
specifically acknowledged that the holders of Rights would not have an adequate
remedy at law for any breach of this Rights Agreement and shall be entitled to
specific performance of the obligations of any Person under, and injunctive
relief against actual or threatened violations of the obligations of any Person
subject to, this Rights Agreement.

          (b)  Any holder of Rights who prevails in an action to enforce the
provisions of this Rights Agreement shall be entitled to recover the reasonable
costs and expenses, including attorneys' fees, incurred in such action.

          SECTION 17.  Transfer and Ownership of Rights and Right Certificates.
                       --------------------------------------------------------

          (a)  Prior to the Distribution Date, the Rights will be transferable
only in connection with the transfer of the Common Shares and the Rights
associated with the Common Shares shall be automatically transferred upon the
transfer of the Common Shares.

          (b)  After the Distribution Date, the Right Certificates will be
transferable, subject to Section 7(e), only on the registry books of the Rights
Agent if surrendered at the principal office of the Rights Agent, duly endorsed
or accompanied by a proper instrument of transfer.

          (c)  The Company and the Rights Agent may deem and treat the Person in
whose name a Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, the
associated Common Shares certificate) is registered as the absolute owner
thereof and of the Rights evidenced thereby (notwithstanding any notations of
ownership or writing on the Right Certificates or the associated certificate for
Common Shares made by anyone other than the Company or the Rights Agent) for all
purposes whatsoever, and neither the Company nor the Rights Agent
<PAGE>

                                                                              24

shall be affected by any notice to the contrary.

          SECTION 18.  Right Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Shareholder.  No
                       --------------------------------------------------
holder, as such, of any Right Certificate shall be entitled to vote or receive
dividends or be deemed, for any purpose, the holder of the Preferred Shares or
of any other securities of the Company which may at any time be issuable on the
exercise of the Rights represented thereby, nor shall anything contained herein
or in any Right Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any Right
Certificate, as such, any of the rights of a shareholder of the Company,
including, without limitation, any right to vote for the election of directors
or upon any matter submitted to shareholders at any meeting thereof, or to give
or withhold consent to any corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or
other actions affecting shareholders, or to receive dividends or other
distributions or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the Right or Rights
evidenced by such Right Certificate shall have been exercised in accordance with
the provisions hereof.

          SECTION 19.  Concerning the Rights Agent.  (a)  The Company agrees to
                       ----------------------------
pay to the Rights Agent reasonable compensation for all services rendered by it
hereunder from time to time and its reasonable expenses and counsel fees and
other disbursements incurred in the administration and execution of this Rights
Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder.

          (b)  The Rights Agent shall be protected and shall incur no liability
for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in connection
with its administration of this Rights Agreement in reliance upon any Right
Certificate or certificate for the Common Shares or for other securities of the
Company, instrument of assignment or transfer, power of attorney, endorsement,
affidavit, letter, notice, direction, consent, certificate, statement, or other
paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to be signed, executed and,
where necessary, verified or acknowledged, by the proper Person or Persons.

          SECTION 20.  Merger or Consolidation or Change of Rights Agent.  (a)
                       --------------------------------------------------
Any corporation into which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent may be
merged or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from
any merger or consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights
Agent shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the stock transfer or
corporate trust business of the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent,
shall be the successor to the Rights Agent under this Rights Agreement without
the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of
the parties hereto; provided that such corporation would be eligible for
                    --------
appointment as a successor Rights Agent under the provisions of Section 22.  In
case, at the time such successor Rights Agent shall succeed to the agency
created by this Rights Agreement, any of the Right Certificates shall have been
countersigned but not delivered, any such successor Rights Agent may adopt the
countersignature of the predecessor Rights Agent and deliver such Right
Certificates so countersigned; and, in case at that time any of the Right
Certificates shall not have been countersigned, any successor Rights Agent may
countersign such Right
<PAGE>

                                                                              25

Certificates either in the name of the predecessor Rights Agent or in the name
of the successor Rights Agent; and in all such cases such Right Certificates
shall have the full force provided in the Right Certificates and in this Rights
Agreement.

          (b)  In case at any time the name of the Rights Agent shall be changed
and at such time any of the Right Certificates shall have been countersigned but
not delivered, the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature under its prior
name and deliver Right Certificates so countersigned; and, in case at that time
any of the Right Certificates shall not have been countersigned, the Rights
Agent may countersign such Right Certificates either in its prior name or in its
changed name; and in all such cases such Right Certificates shall have the full
force provided in the Right Certificates and in this Rights Agreement.

          SECTION 21.  Duties of Rights Agent.  The Rights Agent undertakes the
                       -----------------------
duties and obligations imposed by this Rights Agreement upon the following terms
and conditions, by all of which the Company and the holders of Right
Certificates (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares), by
their acceptance thereof, shall be bound:

          (a)  The Rights Agent may consult with legal counsel satisfactory to
it (who may be legal counsel for the Company), and the opinion of such counsel
shall be full and complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent as
to any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance
with such opinion.

          (b)  Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Rights
Agreement the Rights Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or
matter (including, without limitation, the identity of any Acquiring Person) be
proved or established by the Company prior to taking, refraining from taking or
suffering any action hereunder, such fact or matter (unless other evidence in
respect thereof be herein specifically prescribed) may be deemed to be
conclusively proved and established by a certificate signed by any one of the
Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, the Chief
Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, a Vice President (whether
preceded by any additional title), the Treasurer or the Secretary of the Company
and delivered to the Rights Agent; and such certificate shall be full
authorization to the Rights Agent for any action taken or suffered in good faith
by it under the provisions of this Rights Agreement in reliance upon such
certificate.

          (c)  The Rights Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its own gross
negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct provided, however, that the Rights
Agent shall not be liable for any indirect, punitive, special or consequential
damages.

          (d)  The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of
the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Rights Agreement or in the
Right Certificates (except as to its countersignature thereof) or be required to
verify the same, but all such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to
have been made by the Company only.
<PAGE>

                                                                              26

          (e)  The Rights Agent shall not be under any responsibility in respect
of the validity of this Rights Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof
(except the due execution hereof by the Rights Agent) or in respect of the
validity or execution of any Right Certificate (except its countersignature
thereof); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any
covenant or condition contained in this Rights Agreement or in any Right
Certificate; nor shall it be responsible for any adjustment required under the
provisions of Section 11 or 12 or responsible for the manner, method or amount
of any such adjustment or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would
require any such adjustment (except with respect to the exercise of Rights
evidenced by Right Certificates after actual notice of any such adjustment); nor
shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty
as to the authorization or reservation of any Preferred Shares or Common Shares
to be issued pursuant to this Rights Agreement or any Right Certificate or as to
whether any Preferred Shares or Common Shares will, when so issued, be validly
authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

          (f)  The Company agrees that it will perform, execute, acknowledge and
deliver or cause to be performed, executed, acknowledged and delivered all such
further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required
by the Rights Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Rights Agent of
the provisions of this Rights Agreement.

          (g)  The Rights Agent is hereby authorized and directed to accept
instructions with respect to the performance of its duties hereunder from any
one of the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the President,
the Chief Operating Officer, a Vice President (whether preceded by any
additional title), the Secretary or the Treasurer of the Company, and to apply
to such officers for advice and instructions in connection with its duties and
it shall not be liable for any action taken or suffered to be taken by it in
good faith in accordance with instructions of any such officer.

          (h)  The Rights Agent and any shareholder, director, officer, employee
or affiliate of the Rights Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Rights or
other securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any
transaction in which the Company may be interested, or contract with or lend
money to the Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not
the Rights Agent under this Rights Agreement.  Nothing herein shall preclude the
Rights Agent from acting in any other capacity for the Company or for any other
legal entity.

          (i)  The Rights Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or
powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or
through its attorneys or agents and the Rights Agent shall not be answerable or
accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or
agents or for any loss to the Company resulting from any such act, default,
neglect or misconduct provided reasonable care was exercised in the selection
and continued employment thereof.
<PAGE>

                                                                              27

          (j) The Company agrees to indemnify and to hold the Rights Agent
harmless against any loss, liability, damage or expense (including reasonable
fees and expenses of legal counsel) which the Rights Agent may incur resulting
from its actions as Rights Agent pursuant to this Rights Agreement; provided,
                                                                    --------
however, that the Rights Agent shall not be indemnified or held harmless with
-------
respect to any such loss, liability, damage or expense incurred by the Rights
Agent as a result of, or arising out of, its own gross negligence, bad faith or
willful misconduct.  In no case shall the Company be liable with respect to any
action, proceeding, suit or claim against the Rights Agent unless the Rights
Agent shall have notified the Company, by letter or by facsimile confirmed by
letter, of the assertion of any action, proceeding, suit or claim against the
Rights Agent, promptly after the Rights Agent shall have notice of any such
assertion of an action, proceeding, suit or claim or have been served with the
summons or other first legal process giving information as to the nature and
basis of the action, proceeding, suit or claim.  The Company shall at its own
expense assume the defense of any such action, proceeding, suit or claim.  In
the event that the Company assumes such defense, the Company shall not
thereafter be liable for the fees and expenses of any additional counsel
retained by the Rights Agent, so long as the Company shall retain counsel
satisfactory to the Rights Agent, in the exercise of its reasonable judgment, to
defend such action, proceeding, suit or claim.  In the event the Company fails
so to defend, the Rights Agent agrees not to settle any litigation in connection
with any action, proceeding, suit or claim with respect to which it may seek
indemnification from the Company without the prior written consent of the
Company.

          (k) The Rights Agent shall be under no obligation to institute any
action, suit or legal proceeding or to take any other action likely to involve
expense unless the Company or one or more registered holders of Right
Certificates shall furnish the Rights Agent with security and indemnity to its
satisfaction for any costs and expenses which may be incurred.

          (l) The Rights Agent shall not be liable for failure to perform any
duties except as specifically set forth herein and no implied covenants or
obligations shall be read into this Agreement against the Rights Agent, whose
duties and obligations are ministerial and shall be determined solely by the
express provisions hereof.

          SECTION 22.  Change of Rights Agent.  The Rights Agent or any
                       -----------------------
successor Rights Agent may resign and be discharged from its duties under this
Rights Agreement upon 30 days' notice in writing mailed to the Company and to
each transfer agent of the Common Shares and the Preferred Shares by registered
or certified mail, and to the holders of the Right Certificates (or, prior to
the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares) by first-class mail.  The Company
may remove the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent upon 30 days' notice
in writing, mailed to the Rights Agent or successor Rights Agent, as the case
may be, and to each transfer agent of the Common Shares and the Preferred Shares
by registered or certified mail, and to the holders of the Right Certificates
(or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares) by first-class mail.
If the Rights Agent shall resign or be removed or
<PAGE>

                                                                              28

shall otherwise become incapable of acting, the Company shall appoint a
successor to the Rights Agent. If the Company shall fail to make such
appointment within a period of 30 days after giving notice of such removal or
after it has been notified in writing of such resignation or incapacity by the
resigning or incapacitated Rights Agent or by the holder of a Right Certificate
(or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares) who shall, with such
notice, submit his Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, the
certificate representing his Common Shares) for inspection by the Company, then
the registered holder of any Right Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution
Date, of the Common Shares) may apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for
the appointment of a new Rights Agent. Any successor Rights Agent, whether
appointed by the Company or by such a court, shall be a corporation organized
and doing business under the laws of the United States or of any state of the
United States, in good standing, having a principal office in the United States,
which is authorized under such laws to exercise stock, transfer or corporate
trust powers and is subject to supervision or examination by Federal or state
authority and which has at the time of its appointment as Rights Agent a
combined capital and surplus of at least $25,000,000; provided that the
                                                      --------
principal transfer agent for the Common Shares shall in any event be qualified
to be the Rights Agent. After appointment, the successor Rights Agent shall be
vested with the same powers, rights, duties and responsibilities as if it had
been originally named as Rights Agent without further act or deed; but the
predecessor Rights Agent shall deliver and transfer to the successor Rights
Agent any property at the time held by it hereunder, and execute and deliver any
further assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for the purpose. Not later
than the effective date of any such appointment, the Company shall file notice
thereof in writing with the predecessor Rights Agent and each transfer agent of
the Common Shares and the Preferred Shares, and mail a notice thereof in writing
to the registered holders of the Right Certificates (or, prior to the
Distribution Date, of the Common Shares). Failure to give any notice provided
for in this Section 22, however, or any defect therein shall not affect the
legality or validity of the resignation or removal of the Rights Agent or the
appointment of the successor Rights Agent, as the case may be.

          SECTION 23.  Issuance of Additional Rights and Right Certificates.
                       -----------------------------------------------------
Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Rights Agreement or of the Rights
to the contrary, the Company may, at its option, issue new Right Certificates
evidencing Rights in such form as may be approved by its Board of Directors to
reflect any adjustment or change made in accordance with the provisions of this
Rights Agreement. In addition, in connection with the issuance or sale of Common
Shares following the Distribution Date and prior to the earlier of the
Redemption Date and the Expiration Date, the Company (a) shall, with respect to
Common Shares so issued or sold pursuant to the exercise of stock options or
under any employee plan or arrangement, or upon the exercise, conversion or
exchange of securities, notes or debentures issued by the Company, and (b) may,
in any other case, if deemed necessary or appropriate by the Board of Directors
of the Company, issue Right Certificates representing the appropriate number of
Rights in connection with such issuance or sale; provided, however, that (x) no
                                                 --------  -------
such Right Certificate shall be issued if, and to the extent that, the Company
shall be advised by counsel that such issuance would create a significant risk
of
<PAGE>

                                                                              29

material adverse tax consequences to the Company or the Person to whom such
Right Certificate would be issued, and (y) no such Right Certificate shall be
issued if, and to the extent that, appropriate adjustment shall otherwise have
been made in lieu of the issuance thereof.

          SECTION 24.  Redemption and Termination.  (a)  The Board of Directors
                       ---------------------------
of the Company may, at its option, at any time prior to the earlier of (i) such
time as a Person becomes an Acquiring Person and (ii) the Expiration Date, order
the redemption of all, but not fewer than all, the then outstanding Rights at
the Redemption Price (the date of such redemption being the "Redemption Date"),
and the Company, at its option, may pay the Redemption Price either in cash or
Common Shares or other securities of the Company deemed by the Board of
Directors of the Company, in the exercise of its sole discretion, to be at least
equivalent in value to the Redemption Price.

          (b)  Immediately upon the action of the Board of Directors of the
Company ordering the redemption of the Rights, and without any further action
and without any notice, the right to exercise the Rights will terminate and the
only right thereafter of the holders of Rights shall be to receive the
Redemption Price.  Within 10 Business Days after the action of the Board of
Directors of the Company ordering the redemption of the Rights, the Company
shall give notice of such redemption to the holders of the then outstanding
Rights by mailing such notice to all such holders at their last addresses as
they appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent or, prior to the
Distribution Date, on the registry books of the transfer agent for the Common
Shares.  Each such notice of redemption will state the method by which payment
of the Redemption Price will be made.  The notice, if mailed in the manner
herein provided, shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether
or not the holder of Rights receives such notice.  In any case, failure to give
such notice by mail, or any defect in the notice, to any particular holder of
Rights shall not affect the sufficiency of the notice to other holders of
Rights.

          SECTION 25.  Notices.  Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement
                       --------
to be given or made by the Rights Agent or by the holder of a Right Certificate
(or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares) to or on the Company
shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class mail, postage
prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with the Rights
Agent) as follows:

          Primex Technologies, Inc.
          10101 9th Street
          St. Petersburg, FL 33716-3807
          Attention:  General Counsel
<PAGE>

                                                                              30

Subject to the provisions of Section 22, any notice or demand authorized by this
Rights Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder of a Right
Certificate (or, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares) to or on
the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if sent by first-class
mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with
the Company) as follows:

          The Bank of New York
          101 Barclay Street (12W)
          New York, NY 10286
          Attention:  Vice President of Administration


Notices or demands authorized by this Rights Agreement to be given or made by
the Company or the Rights Agent to any holder of a Right Certificate (or, prior
to the Distribution Date, of the Common Shares) shall be sufficiently given or
made if sent by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to such holder at
the address of such holder as shown on the registry books of the Rights Agent
or, prior to the Distribution Date, on the registry books of the transfer agent
for the Common Shares.

          SECTION 26.  Supplements and Amendments.  At any time prior to the
                       ---------------------------
Distribution Date and subject to the last sentence of this Section 26, the
Company may, and the Rights Agent shall if the Company so directs, supplement or
amend any provision of this Rights Agreement (including, without limitation, the
date on which the Distribution Date shall occur, the time during which the
Rights may be redeemed pursuant to Section 24 or any provision of the Articles
of Amendment) without the approval of any holder of the Rights.  From and after
the Distribution Date and subject to applicable law, the Company may, and the
Rights Agent shall if the Company so directs, amend this Rights Agreement
without the approval of any holders of Right Certificates (a) to cure any
ambiguity or to correct or supplement any provision contained herein which may
be defective or inconsistent with any other provision of this Rights Agreement
or (b) to make any other provisions in regard to matters or questions arising
hereunder which the Company may deem necessary or desirable and which shall not
adversely affect the interests of the holders of Right Certificates (other than
an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person).  Any
supplement or amendment adopted during any period after any Person has become an
Acquiring Person but prior to the Distribution Date shall be null and void
unless such supplement or amendment could have been adopted under the prior
sentence from and after the Distribution Date.  Any supplement or amendment to
this Rights Agreement duly approved by the Company that does not amend Sections
19, 20, 21 or 22 in a manner adverse to the Rights Agent shall become effective
immediately upon execution by the Company, whether or not also executed by the
Rights Agent.  In addition, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained
in this Rights Agreement, no supplement or amendment to this Rights Agreement
shall be made which (x) reduces the Redemption Price (except as required by
Section 12(a)) or (y) provides for an earlier Expiration Date.
<PAGE>

                                                                              31

          SECTION 27.  Successors.  All the covenants and provisions of this
                       -----------
Rights Agreement by or for the benefit of the Company or the Rights Agent shall
bind and inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns
hereunder.

          SECTION 28.  Benefits of Rights Agreement; Determinations and Actions
                       --------------------------------------------------------
by the Board of Directors, etc.  (a)  Nothing in this Rights Agreement shall be
-------------------------------
construed to give to any Person other than the Company, the Rights Agent and the
registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution
Date, of the Common Shares) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under
this Rights Agreement; but this Rights Agreement shall be for the sole and
exclusive benefit of the Company, the Rights Agent and the registered holders of
the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, of the Common
Shares).

          (b)  Except as explicitly otherwise provided in this Rights Agreement,
the Board of Directors of the Company shall have the exclusive power and
authority to administer this Rights Agreement and to exercise all rights and
powers specifically granted to the Board of Directors of the Company or to the
Company, or as may be necessary or advisable in the administration of this
Rights Agreement, including, without limitation, the right and power to (i)
interpret the provisions of this Rights Agreement and (ii) make all
determinations deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of this
Rights Agreement (including, without limitation, a determination to redeem or
not redeem the Rights or to amend this Rights Agreement and whether there is an
Acquiring Person).

          (c)  Nothing contained in this Rights Agreement shall be deemed to be
in derogation of the obligation of the Board of Directors of the Company to
exercise its fiduciary duty.  Without limiting the foregoing, nothing contained
herein shall be construed to suggest or imply that the Board of Directors shall
not be entitled to reject any tender offer, or to recommend that holders of
Common Shares reject any tender offer, or to take any other action (including,
without limitation, the commencement, prosecution, defense or settlement of any
litigation and the submission of additional or alternative offers or other
proposals) with respect to any tender offer that the Board of Directors believes
is necessary or appropriate in the exercise of such fiduciary duty.

          SECTION 29.  Severability.  If any term, provision, covenant or
                       -------------
restriction of this Rights Agreement is held by a court of competent
jurisdiction or other authority to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the
remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Rights
Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected,
impaired or invalidated.

          SECTION 30.  Governing Law.  This Rights Agreement and each Right
                       --------------
Certificate issued hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract made under the law
of the Commonwealth of Virginia and for all purposes shall be governed by and
construed in
<PAGE>

                                                                              32

accordance with the law of such Commonwealth applicable to contracts to be made
and performed entirely within such Commonwealth except that the duties and
rights of the Rights Agent shall be governed by the law of the State of New York
without reference to the choice of law doctrine of such State.

          SECTION 31.  Counterparts; Effectiveness.  This Rights Agreement may
                       ----------------------------
be executed in any number of counterparts and each of such counterparts shall
for all purposes be deemed to be an original, and all such counterparts shall
together constitute but one and the same instrument.  This Rights Agreement
shall be effective as of the Close of Business on the date hereof.

          SECTION 32.  Descriptive Headings.  Descriptive headings of the
                       ---------------------
several Sections of this Rights Agreement are inserted for convenience only and
shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions
of this Rights Agreement.


          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Rights
Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.


                              PRIMEX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.,


                              by _______________________________
                                  Name:  George H. Pain
                                  Title: Vice President, General Counsel
                                         and Secretary


                              THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Rights Agent,

                                by______________________________
                                   Name:
                                   Title:

<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 1
                                                                   ---------

                             ARTICLES OF AMENDMENT

                              AND RESTATEMENT OF

                           PRIMEX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

     The undersigned, being the Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary
of Primex Technologies, Inc., a Virginia corporation, hereby submits these
Articles of Amendment and Restatement to the State Corporation Commission of
Virginia:

     1.   The name of the corporation is Primex Technologies, Inc. (the
"Company").

     2.   The Company's Articles of Incorporation are hereby amended and
     restated in the manner set forth in Exhibit A, attached hereto.
                                         ---------

     3.   The attached amendment and restatement of the Company's Articles of
Incorporation contains amendments that were adopted on March 7, 2000, by the
Board of Directors of the Company without shareholder action, and no shareholder
action was required for the adoption of such amendments.

     4.   These Articles of Amendment and Restatement shall become effective on
the date that they are filed with the State Corporation Commission of Virginia.

     The undersigned Vice President, General Counsel, and Secretary of the
Company declares that the facts herein stated are true as of March 9, 2000.


                                    Primex Technologies, Inc.


                                    By: /s/ George H. Pain
                                        ---------------------------
                                        George H. Pain
                                        Vice President, General Counsel
                                        and Secretary
<PAGE>

                                                                       Exhibit A
                                                                       ---------

                             AMENDED AND RESTATED

                           ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION

                                      of

                           PRIMEX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.


                                   ARTICLE I

     The name of the Corporation shall be Primex Technologies, Inc.


                                  ARTICLE II

     The purpose for which the Corporation is formed is to transact any or all
lawful business, not required to be specifically stated in these Articles, for
which corporations may be incorporated under the Virginia Stock Corporation Act,
as amended from time to time.


                                  ARTICLE III

     The aggregate number of shares that the Corporation shall have authority to
issue shall be 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $1 per share
(hereinafter called Preferred Stock), and 60,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par
value $1 per share (hereinafter called Common Stock).

     The following is a description of each of said different classes of stock,
and a statement of the preferences, limitations, voting rights and relative
rights in respect of the shares of each such class:

          1.   The Board of Directors shall have authority, by resolution or
     resolutions, at any time and from time to time to divide and establish any
     or all of the unissued shares of Preferred Stock not then allocated to any
     series of Preferred Stock into one or more series, and, without limiting
     the generality of the foregoing, to fix and determine the designation of
     each such series, the number of shares which shall constitute such series
     and the following relative rights and preferences of the shares of each
     series so established:

               (a)  The annual or other periodic dividend rate payable on shares
          of such series, the time of payment thereof, whether such dividends
          shall be cumulative or non-cumulative, and the date or dates from
          which any cumulative dividends shall commence to accrue;
<PAGE>

                                                                              35


               (b)  the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions,
          if any, on which shares of such series may be redeemed;

               (c)  the amounts payable upon shares of such series in the event
          of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding-up
          of the affairs of the Corporation;

               (d)  the sinking fund provisions, if any, for the redemption or
          purchase of shares of such series;

               (e)  the extent of the voting powers, if any, of the shares of
          such series;

               (f)  the terms and conditions, if any, on which shares of such
          series may be converted into shares of stock of the Corporation of any
          other class or classes or into shares of any other series of the same
          or any other class or classes;

               (g)  whether, and if so the extent to which, shares of such
          series may participate with the Common Stock in any dividends in
          excess of the preferential dividend fixed for shares of such series or
          in any distribution of the assets of the Corporation, upon a
          liquidation, dissolution or winding-up thereof, in excess of the
          preferential amount fixed for shares of such series; and

               (h)  any other preferences and relative, optional or other
          special rights, and qualifications, limitations or restrictions of
          such preferences or rights, of shares of such series not fixed and
          determined by law or in this Article III.

          2.   Each series of Preferred Stock shall be so designated as to
     distinguish the shares thereof from the shares of all other series.
     Different series of Preferred Stock shall not be considered to constitute
     different classes of shares for the purpose of voting by classes except as
     otherwise fixed by the Board of Directors with respect to any series at the
     time of the creation thereof.

          3.   So long as any shares of Preferred Stock are outstanding, the
     Corporation shall not declare and pay or set apart for payment any
     dividends (other than dividends payable in Common Stock or other stock of
     the Corporation ranking junior to the Preferred Stock as to dividends) or
     make any other distribution on such junior stock, if at the time of making
     such declaration, payment or distribution the Corporation shall be in
     default with respect to any dividend payable on, or any obligation to
     retire, shares of Preferred Stock.

          4.   Shares of any series of Preferred Stock that have been redeemed
     or otherwise reacquired by the Corporation (whether through the operation
     of a sinking fund, upon conversion or otherwise) shall have the status of
     authorized and unissued shares of Preferred Stock and may be redesignated
     and reissued as a part of such series
<PAGE>

     (unless prohibited by the articles of amendment creating such series) or of
     any other series of Preferred Stock. Shares of Common Stock that have been
     reacquired by the Corporation shall have the status of authorized and
     unissued shares of Common Stock and may be reissued.

          5.   Subject to the provisions of any applicable law or of the By-laws
     of the Corporation as from time to time amended with respect to the closing
     of the transfer books or the fixing of a record date for the determination
     of shareholders entitled to vote, and except as otherwise provided by law
     or in resolutions of the Board of Directors establishing any series of
     Preferred Stock pursuant to the provisions of paragraph 1 of this Article
     III, the holders of outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation
     shall exclusively possess voting power for the election of directors and
     for all other purposes, each holder of record of shares of Common Stock of
     the Corporation being entitled to one vote for each share of such stock
     standing in his name on the books of the Corporation.

          6.   No holder of shares of stock of any class of the Corporation
     shall, as such holder, have any right to subscribe for or purchase (a) any
     shares of stock of any class of the Corporation, or any warrants, options
     or other instruments that shall confer upon the holder thereof the right to
     subscribe for or purchase or receive from the Corporation any shares of
     stock of any class, whether or not such shares of stock, warrants, options
     or other instruments are issued for cash or services or property or by way
     of dividend or otherwise, or (b) any other security of the Corporation that
     shall be convertible into, or exchangeable for, any shares of stock of the
     Corporation of any class or classes, or to which shall be attached or
     appurtenant any warrant, option or other instrument that shall confer upon
     the holder of such security the right to subscribe for or purchase or
     receive from the Corporation any shares of its stock of any class or
     classes, whether or not such securities are issued for cash or services or
     property or by way of dividend or otherwise, other than such right, if any,
     as the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, may from time to time
     determine. If the Board of Directors shall offer to the holders of shares
     of stock of any class of the Corporation, or any of them, any such shares
     of stock, options, warrants, instruments or other securities of the
     Corporation, such offer shall not, in any way, constitute a waiver or
     release of the right of the Board of Directors subsequently to dispose of
     other securities of the Corporation without offering the same to said
     holders.

          7.   Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, dividends upon
     shares of any class of stock of the Corporation shall be payable only out
     of assets legally available for the payment of such dividends, and the
     rights of the holders of shares of stock of the Corporation in respect of
     dividends shall at all times be subject to the power of the Board of
     Directors to determine what dividends, if any, shall be declared and paid
     to the shareholders.

          8.   Subject to the provisions hereof and except as otherwise provided
     by law, shares of stock of any class of the Corporation may be issued for
     such consideration and for such corporate purposes as the Board of
     Directors may from time to time determine.
<PAGE>


          9.   Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock. There is
     hereby established a series of the Corporation's authorized Preferred
     Stock, to be designated as the "Series A Participating Cumulative Preferred
     Stock, par value $1 per share." The designation and number, and relative
     rights, preferences and limitations of the Series A Participating
     Cumulative Preferred Stock, insofar as not already fixed by any other
     provision of these Articles of Incorporation, shall be as follows:

               SECTION 1. Designation and Number of Shares. The shares of such
                          --------------------------------
          series shall be designated as "Series A Participating Cumulative
          Preferred Stock" (the "Series A Preferred Stock"), par value $1 per
          share. The number of shares initially constituting the Series A
          Preferred Stock shall be 250,000; provided, however, that, if more
                                            --------  -------
          than a total of 250,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be
          issuable upon the exercise of Rights (the "Rights") issued pursuant to
          the Rights Agreement dated as of February 1, 2000, between the
          Corporation and The Bank of New York, as Rights Agent (the "Rights
          Agreement"), or pursuant to any successor rights agreement (including
          any successor rights agreement with a different rights agent), the
          Board of Directors of the Corporation, pursuant to Section 13.1-639 of
          the Virginia Stock Corporation Act, shall direct by resolution or
          resolutions that articles of amendment of the Articles of
          Incorporation of the Corporation be properly executed and filed with
          the State Corporation Commission of Virginia providing for the total
          number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock authorized to be issued
          to be increased (to the extent that the Articles of Incorporation then
          permit) to the largest number of whole shares (rounded up to the
          nearest whole number) issuable upon exercise of such Rights.

               SECTION 2. Dividends or Distributions. (a) Subject to the prior
                          --------------------------
          and superior rights of the holders of shares of any other series of
          Preferred Stock or other class of capital stock of the Corporation
          ranking prior and superior to the shares of Series A Preferred Stock
          with respect to dividends, the holders of shares of the Series A
          Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared
          by the Board of Directors, out of the assets of the Corporation
          legally available therefor, (i) quarterly dividends payable in cash on
          the last day of each fiscal quarter in each year, or such other dates
          as the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall approve (each such
          date being referred to herein as a "Quarterly Dividend Payment Date"),
          commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the
          first issuance of a share or a fraction of a share of Series A
          Preferred Stock, in the amount of $.01 per whole share (rounded to the
          nearest cent), less the amount of all cash dividends declared on the
          Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to the following clause (ii) since
          the immediately preceding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or, with
          respect to the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, since the first
          issuance of any share or fraction of a share of Series A Preferred
          Stock (the total of which shall not, in any event, be less than zero)
          and (ii) dividends payable in cash on the payment date for each cash
          dividend declared on the Common Stock in an amount per whole share
          (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to the Formula
<PAGE>

          Number (as hereinafter defined) then in effect times the cash
          dividends then to be paid on each share of Common Stock. In addition,
          if the Corporation shall pay any dividend or make any distribution on
          the Common Stock payable in assets, securities or other forms of non-
          cash consideration (other than dividends or distributions solely in
          shares of Common Stock), then, in each such case, the Corporation
          shall simultaneously pay or make on each outstanding whole share of
          Series A Preferred Stock a dividend or distribution in like kind equal
          to the Formula Number then in effect times such dividend or
          distribution on each share of the Common Stock. As used herein, the
          "Formula Number" shall be 2,000; provided, however, that, if at any
          time after February 1, 2000, the Corporation shall (x) declare or pay
          any dividend on the Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock or
          make any distribution on the Common Stock in shares of Common Stock,
          (y) subdivide (by a stock split or otherwise) the outstanding shares
          of Common Stock into a larger number of shares of Common Stock or (z)
          combine (by a reverse stock split or otherwise) the outstanding shares
          of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares of Common Stock, then,
          in each such event, the Formula Number shall be adjusted to a number
          determined by multiplying the Formula Number in effect immediately
          prior to such event by a fraction, the numerator of which is the
          number of shares of Common Stock that are outstanding immediately
          after such event and the denominator of which is the number of shares
          of Common Stock that are outstanding immediately prior to such event
          (and rounding the result to the nearest whole number); and provided
                                                                     --------
          further, that, if at any time after February 1, 2000, the Corporation
          -------
          shall issue any shares of its capital stock in a merger,
          reclassification, or change of the outstanding shares of Common Stock,
          then, in each such event, the Formula Number shall be appropriately
          adjusted to reflect such merger, reclassification or change so that
          each share of Preferred Stock continues to be the economic equivalent
          of a Formula Number of shares of Common Stock prior to such merger,
          reclassification or change.

               (b)  The Corporation shall declare a dividend or distribution on
          the Series A Preferred Stock as provided in Section 2(a) immediately
          prior to or at the same time it declares a dividend or distribution on
          the Common Stock (other than a dividend or distribution solely in
          shares of Common Stock); provided, however, that, in the event no
                                   --------  -------
          dividend or distribution (other than a dividend or distribution in
          shares of Common Stock) shall have been declared on the Common Stock
          during the period between any Quarterly Dividend Payment Date and the
          next subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, a dividend of $.01
          per share on the Series A Preferred Stock shall nevertheless be
          payable on such subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date. The Board
          of Directors may fix a record date for the determination of holders of
          shares of Series A Preferred Stock entitled to receive a dividend or
          distribution declared thereon, which record date shall be the same as
          the record date for any corresponding dividend or distribution on the
          Common Stock.

               (c)  Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on
<PAGE>

          outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock from and after the
          Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next preceding the date of original
          issue of such shares of Series A Preferred Stock; provided, however,
                                                            --------  -------
          that dividends on such shares that are originally issued after the
          record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A
          Preferred Stock entitled to receive a quarterly dividend and on or
          prior to the next succeeding Quarterly Dividend Payment Date shall
          begin to accrue and be cumulative from and after such Quarterly
          Dividend Payment Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividends on
          shares of Series A Preferred Stock that are originally issued prior to
          the record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series A
          Preferred Stock entitled to receive a quarterly dividend on the first
          Quarterly Dividend Payment Date shall be calculated as if cumulative
          from and after the last day of the fiscal quarter next preceding the
          date of original issuance of such shares. Accrued but unpaid dividends
          shall not bear interest. Dividends paid on the shares of Series A
          Preferred Stock in an amount less than the total amount of such
          dividends at the time accrued and payable on such shares shall be
          allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such shares at
          the time outstanding.

               (d)  So long as any shares of the Series A Preferred Stock are
          outstanding, no dividends or other distributions shall be declared,
          paid or distributed, or set aside for payment or distribution, on the
          Common Stock, unless, in each case, the dividend required by this
          Section 2 to be declared on the Series A Preferred Stock shall have
          been declared.

               (e)  The holders of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall
          not be entitled to receive any dividends or other distributions,
          except as provided herein.

               SECTION 3. Voting Rights. The holders of shares of Series A
                          -------------
          Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights:

               (a)  Each holder of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to
          a number of votes equal to the Formula Number then in effect, for each
          share of Series A Preferred Stock held of record on each matter on
          which holders of the Common Stock or shareholders generally are
          entitled to vote, multiplied by the maximum number of votes per share
          which any holder of the Common Stock or shareholders generally then
          have with respect to such matter (assuming any holding period or other
          requirement to vote a greater number of shares is satisfied).

               (b)  Except as otherwise provided herein or by applicable law,
          the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock and the holders of
          shares of Common Stock shall vote together as one class for the
          election of directors of the Corporation and on all other matters
          submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Corporation.

               (c)  If, at the time of any annual meeting of shareholders for
          the
<PAGE>

          election of directors, the equivalent of six quarterly dividends
          (whether or not consecutive) payable on any share or shares of Series
          A Preferred Stock are in default, the number of directors constituting
          the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall be increased by two.
          In addition to voting together with the holders of Common Stock for
          the election of other directors of the Corporation, the holders of
          record of the Series A Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class
          to the exclusion of the holders of Common Stock, shall be entitled at
          said meeting of shareholders (and at each subsequent annual meeting of
          shareholders), unless all dividends in arrears have been paid or
          declared and set apart for payment prior thereto, to vote for the
          election of two directors of the Corporation, the holders of any
          Series A Preferred Stock being entitled to cast a number of votes per
          share of Series A Preferred Stock equal to the Formula Number. Until
          the default in payments of all dividends that permitted the election
          of said directors shall cease to exist, any director who shall have
          been so elected pursuant to the next preceding sentence may be removed
          at any time, either with or without cause, only by the affirmative
          vote of the holders of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock at the
          time entitled to cast a majority of the votes entitled to be cast for
          the election of any such director at a special meeting of such holders
          called for that purpose, and any vacancy thereby created may be filled
          by the vote of such holders. If and when such default shall cease to
          exist, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be divested
          of the foregoing special voting rights, subject to revesting in the
          event of each and every subsequent like default in payments of
          dividends. Upon the termination of the foregoing special voting
          rights, the terms of office of all persons who may have been elected
          directors pursuant to said special voting rights shall forthwith
          terminate, and the number of directors constituting the Board of
          Directors shall be reduced by two. The voting rights granted by this
          Section 3(c) shall be in addition to any other voting rights granted
          to the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock in this Section 3.

               (d)  Except as provided herein, in Section 11 or by applicable
          law, holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall have no special voting
          rights and their consent shall not be required (except to the extent
          they are entitled to vote with holders of Common Stock as set forth
          herein) for authorizing or taking any corporate action.

               SECTION 4. Certain Restrictions. (a) Whenever quarterly
                          --------------------
          dividends or other dividends or distributions payable on the Series A
          Preferred Stock as provided in Section 2 are in arrears, thereafter
          and until all accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions, whether
          or not declared, on shares of Series A Preferred Stock outstanding
          shall have been paid in full, the Corporation shall not

                    (i)  declare or pay dividends on, make any other
               distributions on, or redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for
               consideration any shares of stock ranking junior (either as to
               dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the
               Series A Preferred Stock;
<PAGE>

                    (ii)   declare or pay dividends on or make any other
               distributions on any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either
               as to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up)
               with the Series A Preferred Stock, except dividends paid ratably
               on the Series A Preferred Stock and all such parity stock on
               which dividends are payable or in arrears in proportion to the
               total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are then
               entitled;

                    (iii)  redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for
               consideration shares of any stock ranking on a parity (either as
               to dividends or upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with
               the Series A Preferred Stock; provided that the Corporation may
                                             --------
               at any time redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire shares of any
               such parity stock in exchange for shares of any stock of the
               Corporation ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon
               dissolution, liquidation or winding up) to the Series A Preferred
               Stock; or

                    (iv)   purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any
               shares of Series A Preferred Stock, or any shares of stock
               ranking on a parity with the Series A Preferred Stock, except in
               accordance with a purchase offer made in writing or by
               publication (as determined by the Board of Directors) to all
               holders of such shares upon such terms as the Board of Directors,
               after consideration of the respective annual dividend rates and
               other relative rights and preferences of the respective series
               and classes, shall determine in good faith will result in fair
               and equitable treatment among the respective series or classes.

               (b)  The Corporation shall not permit any subsidiary of the
          Corporation to purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any
          shares of stock of the Corporation unless the Corporation could, under
          paragraph (a) of this Section 4, purchase or otherwise acquire such
          shares at such time and in such manner.

               SECTION 5.  Liquidation Rights. Upon the liquidation,
                           ------------------
          dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or
          involuntary, no distribution shall be made (a) to the holders of
          shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon
          liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series A Preferred
          Stock, unless, prior thereto, the holders of shares of Series A
          Preferred Stock shall have received an amount equal to the accrued and
          unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared,
          to the date of such payment, plus an amount equal to the greater of
          (i) $.01 per whole share or (ii) an aggregate amount per share equal
          to the Formula Number then in effect times the aggregate amount to be
          distributed per share to holders of Common Stock or (b) to the holders
          of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon
          liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the Series A Preferred
          Stock, except distributions made ratably on the Series A Preferred
<PAGE>

          Stock and all other such parity stock in proportion to the total
          amounts to which the holders of all such shares are entitled upon such
          liquidation, dissolution or winding up.

               SECTION 6. Consolidation, Merger, etc.  In case the Corporation
                          --------------------------
          shall enter into any consolidation, merger, combination or other
          transaction in which the shares of Common Stock are exchanged for or
          changed into other stock or securities, cash or any other property,
          then, in any such case, the then outstanding shares of Series A
          Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or
          changed into an amount per share equal to the Formula Number then in
          effect times the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash or any
          other property (payable in kind), as the case may be, into which or
          for which each share of Common Stock is exchanged or changed. In the
          event both this Section 6 and Section 2 appear to apply to a
          transaction, this Section 6 will control.

               SECTION 7. No Redemption; No Sinking Fund.  (a) The shares of
                          ------------------------------
          Series A Preferred Stock shall not be subject to redemption by the
          Corporation or at the option of any holder of Series A Preferred
          Stock; provided, however, that the Corporation may purchase or
                 --------  -------
          otherwise acquire outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock in
          the open market or by offer to any holder or holders of shares of
          Series A Preferred Stock.

               (b)  The shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be subject
          to or entitled to the operation of a retirement or sinking fund.

               SECTION 8. Ranking.  The Series A Preferred Stock shall rank
                          -------
          junior to all other series of Preferred Stock of the Corporation,
          unless the Board of Directors shall specifically determine otherwise
          in fixing the powers, preferences and relative, participating,
          optional and other special rights of the shares of such series and the
          qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof.

               SECTION 9. Fractional Shares.  The Series A Preferred Stock
                          -----------------
          shall be issuable upon exercise of the Rights issued pursuant to the
          Rights Agreement in whole shares or in any fraction of a share that is
          one two-thousandth (1/2,000) of a share or any integral multiple of
          such fraction which shall entitle the holder, in proportion to such
          holder's fractional shares, to receive dividends, exercise voting
          rights, participate in distributions and have the benefit of all other
          rights of holders of Series A Preferred Stock. In lieu of fractional
          shares, the Corporation, prior to the first issuance of a share or a
          fraction of a share of Series A Preferred Stock, may elect (a) to make
          a cash payment as provided in the Rights Agreement for fractions of a
          share other than one two-thousandth (1/2,000) of a share or any
          integral multiple thereof or (b) to issue depository receipts
          evidencing such authorized fraction of a share of Series A Preferred
          Stock pursuant to an appropriate agreement between the Corporation and
          a depository selected by the Corporation; provided that such agreement
                                                    --------
          shall provide that the holders of such depository receipts shall have
<PAGE>

          all the rights, privileges and preferences to which they are entitled
          as holders of the Series A Preferred Stock.

               SECTION 10.  Reacquired Shares.  Any shares of Series A
                            -----------------
          Preferred Stock purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in
          any manner whatsoever shall be retired and canceled promptly after the
          acquisition thereof. All such shares shall upon their cancellation
          become authorized but unissued shares of Preferred Stock, par value $1
          per share, of the Corporation, undesignated as to series, and may
          thereafter be reissued as part of a new series of such Preferred
          Shares as permitted by law.

               SECTION 11.  Amendment.  None of the powers, preferences and
                            ---------
          relative, participating, optional and other special rights of the
          Series A Preferred Stock as provided herein or in the Articles of
          Incorporation shall be amended in any manner that would alter or
          change the powers, preferences, rights or privileges of the holders of
          Series A Preferred Stock so as to affect such holders adversely
          without the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66-2/3% of the
          outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock, voting as a separate
          class; provided, however, that no such amendment approved by the
                 --------  -------
          holders of at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding shares of Series A
          Preferred Stock shall be deemed to apply to the powers, preferences,
          rights or privileges of any holder of shares of Series A Preferred
          Stock originally issued upon exercise of a Right after the time of
          such approval without the approval of such holder.


                                  ARTICLE IV

     The period of the duration of the Corporation is unlimited and perpetual.


                                   ARTICLE V

          1.   The number of directors shall be as specified in the By-laws of
     the Corporation but such number may be increased or decreased from time to
     time in such manner as may be prescribed in the By-laws. In the absence of
     a By-law specifying the number of directors, the number shall be nine. The
     Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes, Class I, Class II,
     and Class III, as nearly equal in number as possible. The initial term of
     each class of directors shall expire at the annual meeting of shareholders
     to be held in the following years: Class I - 1997; Class II - 1998; and
     Class III - 1999. At the 1997 annual meeting of shareholders, directors of
     the first class (Class I) shall be elected to hold office for a term
     expiring at the 2000 annual meeting of shareholders. At each annual meeting
     of shareholders after 1997, the successors to the class of directors whose
     term shall then expire shall be identified as being of the same class of
     directors they succeed and shall be elected to hold office for a term
     expiring at the third succeeding annual meeting of shareholders. When the
     number of directors is changed, any newly-created directorships or any
     decrease in
<PAGE>

     directorships shall be so apportioned among the classes by the Board of
     Directors as to make all classes as nearly equal in number as possible.

          2.   Subject to the rights of the holders of any Preferred Stock then
     outstanding, directors may be removed only with cause.

          3.   Subject to the rights of the holders of any Preferred Stock then
     outstanding, newly-created directorships resulting from any increase in the
     number of directors and any vacancies in the Board of Directors resulting
     from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other cause shall be
     filled solely by the Board of Directors or at an annual meeting of
     shareholders by the shareholders entitled to vote on the election of
     directors. If the directors remaining in office constitute fewer than a
     quorum of the Board, they may fill the vacancy by the affirmative vote of a
     majority of the directors remaining in office.

          4.   Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles of
     Incorporation or any provision of law which might otherwise permit a lesser
     vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any
     particular class or series of the stock of the Corporation required by law,
     these Articles of Incorporation or any Preferred Stock outstanding, the
     affirmative vote of at least 80 percent of the outstanding shares of the
     Corporation entitled to vote generally at any annual or special meeting of
     the shareholders shall be required to alter, amend or repeal paragraph 1 of
     this Article V.


                                  ARTICLE VI

     Except as expressly otherwise required in these Articles of Incorporation,
an amendment or restatement of these Articles requiring shareholder approval
shall be approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by each voting
group that is entitled to vote on the matter, unless in submitting an amendment
or restatement to the shareholders the Board of Directors shall require a
greater vote.


                                  ARTICLE VII

          1.   Every person who is or was a director, officer or employee of the
     Corporation, or who, at the request of the Corporation, serves or has
     served in any such capacity with another corporation, partnership, joint
     venture, trust, employee benefit plan, or other enterprise shall be
     indemnified by the Corporation against any and all liability and reasonable
     expense that may be incurred by him in connection with or resulting from
     any claim, action or proceeding (whether brought in the right of the
     Corporation or any such other corporation, entity, plan or otherwise), in
     which he may become involved, as a party or otherwise, by reason of his
     being or having been a director, officer or employee of the Corporation, or
     such other corporation, entity or plan while serving at the request of the
     Corporation, whether or not he continues to be such at the time such
     liability or expense is incurred, unless such person engaged in willful
     misconduct or a knowing violation of the criminal law.
<PAGE>

          As used in this Article VII: (a) the terms "liability" and "expense"
     shall include, but shall not be limited to, counsel fees and disbursements
     and amounts of judgments, fines or penalties against, and amounts paid in
     settlement by, a director, officer or employee; (b) the terms "director,"
     "officer" and "employee," unless the context otherwise requires, include
     the estate or personal representative of any such person; (c) a person is
     considered to be serving an employee benefit plan as a director, officer or
     employee of the plan at the Corporation's request if his duties to the
     Corporation also impose duties on, or otherwise involve services by, him to
     the plan or, in connection with the plan, to participants in or
     beneficiaries of the plan; (d) the term "occurrence" means any act or
     failure to act, actual or alleged, giving rise to a claim, action or
     proceeding; and (e) service as a trustee or as a member of a management or
     similar committee of a partnership, joint venture or limited liability
     company shall be considered service as a director, officer or employee of
     the trust, partnership, joint venture or limited liability company.

          The termination of any claim, action or proceeding, civil or criminal,
     by judgment, settlement, conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere, or
     its equivalent, shall not create a presumption that a director, officer or
     employee did not meet the standards of conduct set forth in this paragraph
     1. The burden of proof shall be on the Corporation to establish, by a
     preponderance of the evidence, that the relevant standards of conduct set
     forth in this paragraph 1 have not been met.

          2.   Any indemnification under paragraph 1 of this Article VII shall
     be made unless (a) the Board, acting by a majority vote of those directors
     who were directors at the time of the occurrence giving rise to the claim,
     action or proceeding involved and who are not at the time parties to such
     claim, action or proceeding (provided there are at least five such
     directors), finds that the director, officer or employee has not met the
     relevant standards of conduct set forth in such paragraph 1, or (b) if
     there are not at least five such directors, the Corporation's principal
     Virginia legal counsel, as last designated by the Board as such prior to
     the time of the occurrence giving rise to the claim, action or proceeding
     involved, or in the event for any reason such Virginia counsel is unwilling
     to so serve, then Virginia legal counsel mutually acceptable to the
     Corporation and the person seeking indemnification, deliver to the
     Corporation their written advice that, in their opinion, such standards
     have not been met.

          3.   Expenses incurred with respect to any claim, action or proceeding
     of the character described in paragraph 1 shall, except as otherwise set
     forth in this paragraph 3, be advanced by the Corporation prior to the
     final disposition thereof upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of
     the recipient to repay such amount if it is ultimately determined that he
     is not entitled to indemnification under this Article VII. No security
     shall be required for such undertaking and such undertaking shall be
     accepted without reference to the recipient's final ability to make
     repayment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Corporation may refrain from,
     or suspend, payment of expenses in advance if at any time before delivery
     of the final finding described in paragraph 2, the Board or Virginia legal
     counsel, as the case may be,
<PAGE>

     acting in accordance with the procedures set forth in paragraph 2, find by
     a preponderance of the evidence then available that the officer, director
     or employee has not met the relevant standards of conduct set forth in
     paragraph 1.

          4.   No amendment or repeal of this Article VII shall adversely affect
     or deny to any director, officer or employee the rights of indemnification
     provided in this Article VII with respect to any liability or expense
     arising out of a claim, action or proceeding based in whole or substantial
     part on an occurrence the inception of which takes place before or while
     this Article VII, as set forth in these Amended and Restated Articles of
     Incorporation, is in effect. The provisions of this paragraph 4 shall apply
     to any such claim, action or proceeding whenever commenced, including any
     such claim, action or proceeding commenced after any amendment or repeal to
     this Article VII.

          5.   The rights of indemnification provided in this Article VII shall
     be in addition to any rights to which any such director, officer or
     employee may otherwise be entitled by contraction or as a matter of law.

          6.   In any proceeding brought by or in the right of the Corporation
     or brought by or on behalf of shareholders of the Corporation, no director
     or officer of the Corporation shall be liable to the Corporation or its
     shareholders for monetary damages with respect to any transaction,
     occurrence or course of conduct, whether prior or subsequent to the
     effective date of this Article VII, except for liability resulting from
     such person's having engaged in willful misconduct or a knowing violation
     of the criminal law or any federal or state securities law.
<PAGE>

                                                                               1

                                                                       Exhibit 2
                                                                       ---------

                          [Form of Right Certificate]


Certificate No. [R]-

                _________     Rights


          NOT EXERCISABLE AFTER DECEMBER 19, 2006, OR EARLIER, IF REDEEMED BY
          THE COMPANY. THE RIGHTS ARE SUBJECT TO REDEMPTION, AT THE OPTION OF
          THE COMPANY, AT $.005 PER RIGHT, ON THE TERMS SET FORTH IN THE RIGHTS
          AGREEMENT. RIGHTS BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY AN ACQUIRING PERSON OR AN
          AFFILIATE OR ASSOCIATE OF AN ACQUIRING PERSON (AS SUCH TERMS ARE
          DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS AGREEMENT) AND BY ANY SUBSEQUENT HOLDER OF SUCH
          RIGHTS ARE NULL AND VOID AND NONTRANSFERABLE.


                               Right Certificate

                         PRIMEX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.


          This certifies that                     , or registered assigns, is
the registered owner of the number of Rights set forth above, each of which
entitles the owner thereof, subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of
the Rights Agreement dated as of February 1, 2000 (the "Rights Agreement"),
between Primex Technologies, Inc., a Virginia corporation (the "Company"), and
The Bank of New York, a New York trust company, as Rights Agent (the "Rights
Agent"), unless the Rights evidenced hereby shall have been previously redeemed
by the Company, to purchase from the Company at any time after the Distribution
Date (as defined in the Rights Agreement) and prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City
time, on December 19, 2006 (the "Expiration Date"), at the principal office of
the Rights Agent, or its successors as Rights Agent, in New York, New York, one
two-thousandth (1/2000) of a fully paid, nonassessable share of Series A
Participating Cumulative Preferred Stock, without par value, of the Company (the
"Preferred Shares"), at a purchase price per one two-thousandth (1/2000) of a
share equal to $55 (the "Purchase Price"), payable in cash, upon presentation
and surrender of this Right Certificate with the Form of Election to Purchase
duly executed.

          The Purchase Price and the number and kind of shares which may be
purchased upon exercise of each Right evidenced by this Right Certificate, as
set forth above, are the Purchase Price and the number and kind of shares which
may be so purchased as of February 1, 2000. As provided in the Rights Agreement,
the Purchase Price and the number and kind of shares which may be purchased upon
the exercise of each Right evidenced by this Right Certificate are subject to
modification and adjustment upon the happening of certain events.

          If the Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate are at any time
beneficially owned by an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an
Acquiring Person (as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement), such
Rights shall be null and void and nontransferable and the holder of any such
Right (including any purported transferee or subsequent holder) shall not have
any right to exercise or transfer any such Right.
<PAGE>

                                                                               2

          This Right Certificate is subject to all the terms, provisions and
conditions of the Rights Agreement, which terms, provisions and conditions are
hereby incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof, and reference to
the Rights Agreement is hereby made for a full description of the rights,
limitations of rights, obligations, duties and immunities hereunder of the
Rights Agent, the Company and the holders of the Right Certificates.  Copies of
the Rights Agreement are on file at the above-mentioned office of the Rights
Agent and are also available from the Company upon written request.

          This Right Certificate, with or without other Right Certificates, upon
surrender at the principal stock transfer or corporate trust office of the
Rights Agent, may be exchanged for another Right Certificate or Right
Certificates of like tenor and date evidencing Rights entitling the holder to
purchase a like aggregate number and kind of shares as the Rights evidenced by
the Right Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered shall have entitled such
holder to purchase. If this Right Certificate shall be exercised in part, the
holder shall be entitled to receive upon surrender hereof another Right
Certificate or Right Certificates for the number of whole Rights not exercised.

          Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights
evidenced by this Right Certificate may be redeemed by the Company at its option
at a redemption price (in cash or shares of Common Stock or other securities of
the Company deemed by the Board of Directors to be at least equivalent in value)
of $.005 per Right (which amount shall be subject to adjustment as provided in
the Rights Agreement) at any time prior to the earlier of (a) such time as a
Person becomes an Acquiring Person and (b) the Expiration Date.

          The Company may, but shall not be required to, issue fractions of
Preferred Shares or distribute certificates which evidence fractions of
Preferred Shares upon the exercise of any Right or Rights evidenced hereby. In
lieu of issuing fractional shares, the Company may elect to make a cash payment
as provided in the Rights Agreement for fractions of a share other than one two-
thousandth (1/2000) of a share or any integral multiple thereof or to issue
certificates or to utilize a depositary arrangement as provided in the terms of
the Rights Agreement and the Preferred Shares.

          No holder of this Right Certificate shall be entitled to vote or
receive dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred
Shares or of any other securities of the Company which may at any time be
issuable on the exercise hereof, nor shall anything contained in the Rights
Agreement or herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any
of the rights of a shareholder of the Company, including, without limitation,
any right to vote for the election of directors or upon any matter submitted to
shareholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any
corporate action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting
shareholders (except as provided in the Rights Agreement), or to receive
dividends or other distributions or subscription rights, or otherwise, until the
Right or Rights evidenced by this Right Certificate shall have been exercised as
provided in accordance with the provisions of the Rights Agreement.
<PAGE>

                                                                               3

          This Right Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any
purpose until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.


          WITNESS the facsimile signature of the proper officers of the Company
and its corporate seal.


Dated as of:

                                   PRIMEX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.,

                                   by

                                        Name:
                                        Title:

Attest:


_______________________
Name:
Title:

                                   Countersigned:


                                   THE BANK OF NEW YORK, as Rights Agent,

                                   by
                                        _____________________
                                        Name:
                                        Title:
<PAGE>

                    [On Reverse Side of Right Certificate]


                         FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE
                         ----------------------------

                  (To be executed by the registered holder if
                  such holder desires to exercise the Rights
                    represented by this Right Certificate.)


To the Rights Agent:

          The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise __________
Rights represented by this Right Certificate to purchase the Preferred Shares
(or other shares) issuable upon the exercise of such Rights and requests that
certificates for such shares be issued in the name of:

Please insert social security
or other identifying number


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        (Please print name and address)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

          If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights evidenced by this
Right Certificate, a new Right Certificate for the balance remaining of such
Rights shall be registered in the name of and delivered to:

Please insert social security
or other identifying number

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    (Please print name and address)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dated: _________, ____


                              ------------------------------
                              Signature


Signature Guaranteed:
<PAGE>

                              FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
                              ------------------

               (To be executed by the registered holder if such
              holder desires to transfer the Right Certificate.)

          FOR VALUE RECEIVED _______________________________ hereby sells,
assigns and transfers unto ___________________


____________________________________________________________
                 (Please print name and address of transferee)

____________________________________________________________

this Right Certificate, together with all right, title and interest therein, and
does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint ______________ Attorney, to
transfer the within Right Certificate on the books of the within-named
Corporation, with full power of substitution.

Dated: ____________, ____


                                   ______________________________
                                   Signature

Signature Guaranteed:


          The undersigned hereby certifies that (a) the Rights evidenced by this
Right Certificate are not being sold, assigned or transferred by or on behalf of
a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or Associate thereof
(as such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement), (b) this Rights Certificate
is not being sold, assigned or transferred to or on behalf of any such Acquiring
Person, Affiliate or Associate, and (c) after inquiry and to the best knowledge
of the undersigned, the undersigned did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this
Right Certificate from any Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or an
Affiliate or Associate thereof (as such terms are defined in the Rights
Agreement).


                                   ______________________________
                                   Signature


                               NOTICE
                               ------

          The signature on the foregoing Form of Election to Purchase or Form of
Assignment must correspond to the name as written upon the face of this Right
Certificate in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change
whatsoever.