Critical radars that protect the Royal Navy's fleet of warships against hostile airborne and seaborne attacks will be upgraded.
BAE Systems has won a £270m contract to support, upgrade and maintain the radars. The 10-year contract will run until 2032, and will support Artisan, Sampson and Long-Range Radars, which are found on warships including Type 23 and Type 26 frigates, Type 45 destroyers, and the Queen Elizabeth Class Aircraft Carriers.
In addition, BAE Systems' contract secures 400 jobs in Cowes, Portsmouth, Essex and in Hillend near Edinburgh. It also boosts investment in the UK supply chain of SME and high-tech suppliers.
Radars are a key defensive capability to the Royal Navy used to identify and track potential airborne and seaborne threats.
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Minister for Defence Procurement, James Cartlidge said: "Equipping our Armed Forces with the latest technology to counter emerging threats is critical to ensuring the safety and effectiveness of our fleet and personnel.
"Securing hundreds of jobs across the country, this contract is a boost for the UK Supply Chain and lets our adversaries know we are equipped, prepared and ready."
Cdre Steve McCarthy, director ships support at Defence Equipment and Support said: "This is an excellent outcome for Defence and our industry partners, supporting vital highly skilled UK jobs to underwrite the future of state-of-the-art British naval radar technology. These systems give the Royal Navy the battle-winning edge it needs to protect and defend our nation."
The radars provide a key defensive capability to the Royal Navy at sea and are used to identify and track potential airborne and seaborne threats.
Rear Admiral James Parkin CBE, director develop at Navy HQ commented: "By combining the support of our existing maritime complex radars, the Royal Navy will be better able to adapt to technological change and our ships will be able to respond faster to developing operational threats. This system of systems approach being taken by BAE Systems aligns with our own approach to sensor development and will maintain our status as one of the world’s leading maritime forces."
Scott Jamieson, managing director of BAE Systems’ Maritime Services business, added: "This is a pivotal moment for UK radar technology development. This contract secures a decade of investment into a critical capability for the UK armed forces. It also allows us to evolve future radar technology with the MOD to sustain maritime air dominance and vital radar development skills and experience in the UK."
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