<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.3

                           [PRIMEX TIER I AGREEMENT]
                                        
                              EXECUTIVE AGREEMENT
                              -------------------
                                        


          Agreement between Primex Technologies, Inc., a Virginia corporation
("Primex"), and Angelo A. Catani (the "Executive"), dated as of January 1, 1998.

          Primex and the Executive agree as follows:

          1.  Definitions

              As used in this Agreement:

              (a)  "Cause" means the willful and continued failure of the
Executive to substantially perform his duties; the willful engaging by the
Executive in gross misconduct significantly and demonstrably financially
injurious to Primex; or willful misconduct by the Executive during his
employment which is a felony or fraud. No act or failure to act on the part of
the Executive will be considered "willful" unless done or omitted not in good
faith and without reasonable belief that the action or omission was in the
interests of Primex or not opposed to the interests of Primex.

              (b)  "Change in Control" means:

                   (i)  Primex ceases to be, directly or indirectly, owned by at
least 1,000 beneficial owners of Primex stock;

                  (ii)  A person, partnership, joint venture, corporation or
other entity, or two or more of any of the foregoing acting as a "person" within
the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Act"), other than Primex, a majority-owned subsidiary of Primex or
an employee benefit plan (or the plan's related trust) of Primex, such
subsidiary or Olin Corporation, a Virginia corporation ("Olin"), become(s) the
"beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under such Act) of 15% or more of
the then outstanding voting stock of Primex;

                 (iii)  During any period of two consecutive years, individuals
who were members of Primex's Board of Directors at the beginning of such period
(together with any new Director whose election by Primex's Board of Directors or
whose nomination for election by Primex's stockholders was approved by a vote of
at least two-thirds of the Directors then still in office who either were
directors at the beginning of such period or 
<PAGE>
 
whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for
any reason to constitute a majority of the directors then in office; or

                  (iv)  All or substantially all of the business or assets of
Primex is disposed of pursuant to a merger, consolidation or other transaction
in which Primex is not the surviving corporation or Primex combines with another
company and is the surviving corporation (unless the shareholders of Primex
immediately following such merger, consolidation, combination, or other
transaction beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the
aggregate voting stock or other ownership interests of (x) the entity or
entities, if any, that succeed to the business of Primex or (y) the combined
company).

              (c)  "Disability" means that the Executive has suffered an
incapacity due to physical or mental illness which meets the criteria for
disability established at the time under Primex's short-term disability plan.

              (d)  "Executive Severance" means:

                   (i)  twelve months of the Executive's then current monthly
salary (without taking into account any reductions which may have occurred at or
after the date of a Change in Control); plus

                  (ii)  an amount equal to the greater of (a) the Executive's
average annual award actually paid under Primex's short-term annual incentive
compensation plans or programs ("ICP") for the three years (or for such fewer
years as the ICP may have been in effect) immediately preceding the date of
Termination or (b) the Executive's then current ICP standard annual award.

                 (iii)  The Executive will not be entitled to receive any other
severance otherwise payable to the Executive under any other severance plan of
Primex.

                  (iv)  If on the Termination date the Executive is eligible and
is receiving payments under any then existing Primex disability plan, then the
Executive agrees that all such payments may, and will be, suspended and offset
for 12 months following the Termination date. If after such period the Executive
remains eligible to receive disability payments, then such payments shall resume
in the amounts and in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Primex
disability plan.

              (e)  "Potential Change in Control" means:

                   (i)  Primex has entered into an agreement the consummation of
which would result in a Change in Control;
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                  (ii)  any person (including Primex ) publicly announces an
intention to take or to consider taking actions which if consummated would
constitute a Change in Control;

                 (iii)  Primex learns that any person (other than an employee
benefit plan (or the plan's related trust) of Primex, a subsidiary of Primex or
Olin) has become the beneficial owner directly or indirectly of securities of
Primex representing 9.5% or more of the combined voting power of Primex's then
outstanding securities ordinarily entitled to vote in elections of directors; or

                  (iv)  the Board of Directors of Primex adopts a resolution to
the effect that, for purposes of this Agreement, a Potential Change in Control
of Primex has occurred.

              (f)  "Termination" means:

                   (i) The Executive is discharged by Primex other than for
Cause;

                  (ii) The Executive terminates his or her employment in the
event that:

                        (1)  Primex requires the Executive to relocate the
Executive's then office to an area which is not within reasonable commuting
distance, on a daily basis, from the Executive's then residence, except that
prior to a Change in Control a requirement to relocate the Executive's office to
Primex's corporate headquarters is not a basis for Termination;

                        (2)  Primex reduces the Executive's base salary or fails
to increase the Executive's base salary on a basis consistent (as to frequency
and amount) with Primex's exempt salary system as then in effect or, in the
event of a Change in Control, as in effect immediately prior to the Change in
Control;

                        (3)  Primex fails to continue the Executive's
participation in its benefit plans (including incentive compensation and stock
based incentives) on substantially the same basis, both in terms of the amount
of the benefits provided (other than due to Primex's or a relevant operation's
financial or stock price performance provided such performance is a relevant
criterion under such plan) and the level of the Executive's participation
relative to other participants as exists on the date hereof; provided that, with
respect to annual and long term incentive compensation plans, the basis with
which the amount of benefits and level of participation of the Executive shall
be compared shall be the average benefit awarded to the Executive under the
relevant plan during the three years (or such fewer years as such plans may have
been in effect) immediately preceding the date of Termination;
<PAGE>
 
                        (4)  The Executive suffers a Disability which prevents
the Executive from performing the Executive's duties with Primex for a period of
at least 180 consecutive days;

                        (5)  Following a Change in Control, Primex fails to
substantially maintain its benefit plans as in effect at the time of the Change
in Control, unless reasonably equivalent arrangements (embodied in an on-going
substitute or alternative plan) have been made with respect to such plans; or

                        (6) The Executive's duties, position or reporting
responsibilities are diminished.

          2.  Previous Change in Control Agreement. This Agreement supersedes
and replaces the Executive Agreement dated as of January 1, 1997 between Primex
and the Executive, as amended by letter dated November 4, 1997.

          3.  Term/Executive's Duties

              (a)  This Agreement expires at the close of business on December
31, 1998, unless prior to that date there is a Change in Control, in which case
this Agreement will expire on the later of the close of business on December 31,
1998 or three years following the date of a Change in Control; provided that the
expiration of this Agreement will not affect any of the Executive's rights
resulting from a Termination prior to such expiration. In the event of the
Executive's death while employed by Primex, this Agreement shall terminate and
be of no further force or effect on the date of his or her death; provided that
the Executive's death will not affect any of the Executive's rights resulting
from a Termination prior to death.

              (b)  During the period of the Executive's employment by Primex,
the Executive shall devote his or her full time best efforts during normal
business hours to Primex's business and affairs, except during reasonable
vacation periods and periods of illness or incapacity. Nothing in this Agreement
will preclude the Executive from devoting reasonable periods required for
service as a director or a member of any organization involving no conflict of
interest with Primex's interest, provided that no additional position as
director or member shall be accepted by the Executive during the period of his
employment with Primex without its prior consent.

              (c)  The Executive agrees that in the event of any Potential
Change in Control of Primex occurring after the date hereof, the Executive will
remain in the employ of Primex until the earlier of (i) the end of the six-month
period following the occurrence of such Potential Change in Control and (ii) a
Change in Control, during which time the Executive will have an office, title,
duties and responsibilities substantially consistent with those applicable
immediately prior to the Potential Change in Control.
<PAGE>
 
          4.  Executive Severance Payment

              (a)  In the event of a Termination occurring before the expiration
of this Agreement, Primex will pay the Executive a lump sum in an amount equal
to the Executive Severance. The payment will be made within 10 days of the
effective date of the Termination.

              (b)  In the event of a Termination after a Change in Control has
occurred, in addition to the Executive Severance paid under Paragraph 4(a)
above, Primex will pay a Change in Control severance premium to the Executive in
an amount equal to two times the Executive Severance. The Change in Control
severance premium, if it becomes due, will be made within 10 days of the
effective date of the Termination.

              (c)  The Executive will not be required to mitigate the amount of
any payment provided for in paragraph 4(a) or 4(b) by seeking other employment
or otherwise, nor shall any compensation received by the Executive from a third
party reduce such payment. Except as may otherwise be expressly provided herein,
nothing in this Agreement will be deemed to reduce or limit the rights which the
Executive may have under any employee benefit plan, policy or arrangement of
Primex.

          5.  Other Benefits and Payments

              (a) (1) If the Executive becomes entitled to payment under
Paragraph 4(a), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive a lump sum
payment from Primex at the same time as the payment under Paragraph 4(a) is made
equal to the amount contributed or credited by Primex to the Executive's
accounts in all defined contribution plans of Primex (whether or not "qualified"
plans) during the 12 months preceding the Executive's Termination provided that
in the event there are fewer than 12 months in such period the payment required
shall be increased proportionately to make it equivalent to a 12 month period.
The "amount contributed or credited by Primex" as defined in this Paragraph 5
shall not include any employee contributions, employer matching contributions,
dividends or investment gains or losses credited to the Executive's accounts,
but only the Primex contributions made or, in the case of supplementary plans,
credited, to the accounts. Such payment shall be in lieu of any such
contributions or credits by Primex to its defined contribution plans with
respect to the period after the Executive's Termination. If Primex is required
by law to contribute to such plans with respect to the period after the
Executive's Termination, any such contribution shall reduce the payout otherwise
due Executive under this Paragraph 5(a)(1). In the event the Executive receives
a payment under Paragraph 4(b), the amount required to be paid under the
preceding sentences of this Paragraph 5(a)(1) shall be tripled. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, in the event at the date of Termination the Executive is more
than 69 years old (or more than 68 years old in the case the Executive receives
a payment under Paragraph 4(b)) the lump sum payment required to be made under
this Paragraph 5(a)(1) shall be reduced such that if it were expressed as equal
monthly payments made over a 12-month period (a 24-month period 
<PAGE>
 
in the case of the Executive receiving a payment under Paragraph 4(b)) and paid
in monthly installments on the first of every month following Termination no
such monthly payments would be received by the Executive beyond his or her
seventieth birthday.

              (2)  If the Executive becomes entitled to payment under Paragraph
4(a), for the 12 months from the date of the Termination the Executive will
continue to enjoy coverage under all Primex medical, dental, and life insurance
plans to the extent the Executive was enjoying such coverage immediately prior
to the Termination. The Executive shall accrue no vacation during the 12 months
following the date of Termination but shall be entitled to payment for accrued
and unused vacation for the then current year. If the Executive receives the
Executive Severance (including the amount referred to in Paragraph 1(d)(ii)),
the Executive shall not be entitled to an ICP award for the calendar year of
Termination if Termination occurs during the first calendar quarter. Even if the
Executive receives the Executive Severance (including the amount referred to in
Paragraph 1(d)(ii)), if Termination occurs during or after the second calendar
quarter, the Executive shall also be entitled to a prorated ICP award for the
calendar year of Termination which shall be determined by multiplying his or her
then current ICP standard by a fraction the numerator of which is the number of
weeks in the calendar year prior to the Termination and the denominator of which
is 52. The Executive shall accrue no ICP award during the 12 months following
the date of Termination.

              (b)  If the Executive receives payment under Paragraph 4(b), the
insurance coverage provided for in Paragraph 5(a) (2) will be for an additional
24-month period.

              (c)  Notwithstanding the foregoing Paragraphs 5(a)(2), and (b), no
such insurance coverage will be afforded by this Agreement with respect to any
period after the Executive's seventieth birthday.

              (d)  In the event of a Termination, the Executive will be entitled
at Primex's expense to outplacement counseling and associated services in
accordance with Primex's customary practice at the time (or, if a Change in
Control shall have occurred, in accordance with such practice immediately prior
thereto) with respect to its senior executives who have been terminated other
than for Cause. It is understood that the counseling and services contemplated
by this Paragraph 5(d) are intended to facilitate the obtaining by the Executive
of other employment following a Termination, and payments or benefits by Primex
in lieu thereof will not be available to the Executive.

              (e) If the Executive (i) receives the payment under Paragraph
4(b), (ii) has an accrued vested benefit under Olin's qualified pension plan as
of the date of Termination and (iii) at age 55, would not qualify for subsidized
                                                      ---                  
early retirement from Olin under the provisions of Olin's pension plans, then,
concurrent with the payment made to the Executive under Paragraph 4(b), the
Executive will receive a lump sum payment from Primex to make up for the lost
subsidy calculated as follows:
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                FIRST, by calculating the annual benefit which would otherwise
                -----                                                       
be payable to the Executive at age 65 under all Olin pension plans assuming the
Executive had terminated his or her employment with Primex on the date of the
Change in Control, SECOND, by multiplying such annual benefit by the percentage
                   ------                                                      
then applicable in the calculation of benefits paid to employees retiring from
active service with Olin at age 55 under the early retirement provisions of the
Olin Employees Pension Plan (72% at the date hereof), THIRD, by determining the
                                                      ------                   
lump sum actuarial value (as of the date of Termination) of annual payments
beginning at age 55 as calculated in the second step and FOURTH, by deducting
                                         ------          ------              
from such lump sum actuarial value the lump sum actuarial value (as of the date
of Termination) of the Executive's accrued annual benefits under all Olin
pension plans.  Lump sum actuarial value shall be determined in accordance with
Olin's actuarial assumptions for its nonqualified defined benefit plans.

              (f) During the term of the Executive's employment with Primex,
Primex will provide the Executive (1) with an automobile or car payment
equivalent at the Executive's option, (2) with a club membership and (3) with
financial counseling services, in each case on the same terms and conditions as
Olin most recently provided to the Executive while the Executive was an employee
of Olin.

          6.  Participation in Change in Control/Section 4999 of Internal
Revenue Code

              (a) In the event that the Executive participates or agrees to
participate by loan or equity investment (other than through ownership of less
than 1% of publicly traded securities of another company) in a transaction
("acquisition") which would result in an event described in paragraph 1(b)(i) or
(ii), the Executive must promptly disclose such participation or agreement to
Primex.  If the Executive so participates or agrees to participate, no payments
due under this Agreement or by virtue of any Change in Control provisions
contained in any compensation or benefit plan of Primex will be paid to the
Executive until the acquiring group in which the Executive participates or
agrees to participate has completed the acquisition.  In the event the Executive
so participates or agrees to participate and fails to disclose his or her
participation or agreement, the Executive will not be entitled to any payments
under this Agreement or by virtue of Change in Control provisions in any Primex
compensation or benefit plan, notwithstanding any of the terms hereof or
thereof.

              (b) Any payments made pursuant to this Agreement or by virtue of
Change in Control provisions in any Primex compensation or benefit plan which
are subject to tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code or a
successor provision ("4999") will be increased so that after paying the tax
imposed by 4999 and the income and employment tax on the amount of the increase
provided by this paragraph (b), the Executive will have received a net payment
equal to that which he or she would have received if 4999 did not apply.

          7.  Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary:
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              (a) The Executive's base salary and short-term incentive (STI)
standard shall each remain the same in 1998 as in 1997.

              (b) The Executive's Restricted Stock Grant will payout at vesting
as described in the plan pursuant to which it was granted.

              (c) In the event that a 1998 Stock Option Plan is adopted by
Primex and approved by the shareholders of Primex, the Executive will vest in a
one-year grant of, and be able to exercise, an option to purchase 10,000 shares
of Primex's common stock as described in such plan.

              (d) The Executive will receive a lump sum payment of $200,000,
payable within 15 days of the Executive's retirement on December 31, 1998, which
amount represents the present value "Difference" between the two pension options
set forth in the Supplemental Pension Agreement between Primex and the
Executive. Calculation of such amount is reflected below:


                Retire 12/31/99 - Annual Pension                  $200,000
                Retire 12/31/98 - Annual Pension                   175,000
                                                                  --------
                          "Difference"                            $ 25,000
                                                                  ========
        

              (e) The Executive will receive a two-year consulting agreement
containing reasonable terms and conditions mutually agreeable to the Executive
and Primex. Such consulting agreement will commence on January 2, 1999, will
provide for a $100,000 per year retainer payable on or before January 15 of each
year during the term of the agreement, and will contain customary noncompetition
provisions.

              (f) Any and all monies paid to the Executive after December 31,
1998 shall not be subject to Prime Plan contributions by either the Executive or
the Company.

              (g) The Executive will vest in, and be paid in accordance with,
the Primex Transition Bonus Plan upon the terms and conditions set forth in such
plan.

              (h) The Executive's automobile allowance will cease as of December
31, 1998. However, Primex will pay the Executive the sum of $17,400 per year,
payable on or before January 15 of each year during the term of the two-year
consulting agreement.

              (i) The Executive's membership at Pasadena Yacht and Country Club
will cease as of December 31, 1998.

              (j) Upon the death of the Executive, the Executive's spouse, Paige
Catani, may continue in the Primex Medical and Dental Insurance plans until she
reaches the age of 
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65 by paying premiums equivalent to the premiums Primex assesses active
employees. When Paige Catani reaches age 65, she may participate in Primex Med
65 Plan, or its successor plan, if offered at the time.

              (k) Although both Primex and the Executive acknowledge and agree
that the payment of the Supplemental CEOP by Olin Corporation ("Olin") is solely
Olin's responsibility, Primex understands that the Executive is entitled to the
payment of Supplemental CEOP by Olin. Olin's failure to pay the Supplemental
CEOP to the Executive for any reason whatsoever shall not affect, modify or
invalidate this Agreement in any way whatsoever.

          8.  Successors; Binding Agreement

              (a) Primex will require any successor (whether direct or indirect,
by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of
the business or assets of Primex, by agreement, in form and substance
satisfactory to the Executive, expressly to assume and agree to perform this
Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that Primex would be
required to perform if no such succession had taken place. Failure of Primex to
obtain such assumption and agreement prior to the effectiveness of any such
succession will be a breach of this Agreement and entitle the Executive to
compensation from Primex in the same amount and on the same terms as the
Executive would be entitled to hereunder had a Termination occurred on the
succession date. As used in this Agreement, "Primex" means Primex as defined in
the preamble to this Agreement and any successor to its business or assets which
executes and delivers the agreement provided for in this Paragraph 7 or which
otherwise becomes bound by all the terms and provisions of this Agreement by
operation of law or otherwise.

              (b) This Agreement shall be enforceable by the Executive's
personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs,
distributees, devisees and legatees.

          9.  Notices.  For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other
communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be deemed to
have been duly given when delivered or mailed by United States registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

          If to the Executive:  Angelo A. Catani
                                5928 Seabird Drive
                                Gulfport, FL  33707

          If to the Company:    Primex Technologies, Inc.
                                10101 Ninth Street North
                                St. Petersburg, FL  33716-3807
<PAGE>
 
                                Attention:  Corporate Secretary

or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall
be effective only upon receipt.

         10.  Governing Law.  The validity, interpretation, construction and
performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of
Florida without reference to choice of law principles thereunder.

         11.  Miscellaneous.  No provisions of this Agreement may be modified,
waived or discharged unless such modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to
in writing signed by the Executive and Primex.  No waiver by either party hereto
at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of, or compliance with, any
condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party
shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at
the same or at any prior or subsequent time.  No agreements or representations,
oral or otherwise, express or implied, with respect to the subject matter hereof
have been made by either party which are not set forth expressly in this
Agreement.

         12.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which
together will constitute one and the same Agreement.

         13.  Withholding of Taxes. Primex may withhold from any benefits
payable under this Agreement all federal, state, city or other taxes as shall be
required pursuant to any law or governmental regulation or ruling.

         14.  Non-assignability.  This Agreement is personal in nature and
neither of the parties hereto shall, without the consent of the other, assign or
transfer this Agreement or any rights or obligations hereunder, except as
provided in paragraph 8 above.  Without limiting the foregoing, the Executive's
right to receive payments hereunder shall not be assignable or transferable,
whether by pledge, creation of a security interest or otherwise, other than a
transfer by his will or by the laws of descent or distribution, and, in the
event of any
<PAGE>
 
attempted assignment or transfer by the Executive contrary to this Paragraph,
Primex shall have no liability to pay any amount so attempted to be assigned or
transferred.

         15.  No Employment Right.  This Agreement shall not be deemed to
confer on the Executive a right to continued employment with Primex.

         16.  Disputes/Arbitration.

              (a) Any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with
this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by binding arbitration at Primex's
corporate headquarters in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration
Association then in effect.  Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator's award
in any court having jurisdiction; provided, however, that the Executive shall be
entitled to seek specific performance of the Executive's right to be paid during
the pendency of any dispute or controversy arising under or in connection with
this Agreement.

              (b) Primex shall pay all reasonable legal fees and expenses, as
they become due, which the Executive may incur to enforce this Agreement through
arbitration or otherwise unless the arbitration determines that the Executive
had no reasonable basis for his claim. Should Primex dispute the entitlement of
the Executive to such fees and expenses, the burden of proof shall be on Primex
to establish that the Executive had no reasonable basis for his claim.

              IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be
executed and delivered as of the day and year first above set forth.

                                        PRIMEX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
 


                                        By:  /s/ James G. Hascall
                                             --------------------
                                             James G. Hascall
                                             Title:  Chairman and CEO

/s/ Angelo A. Catani
--------------------
Angelo A. Catani