United Kingdom’s Defence Equipment & Support has awarded Thales UK a 10-year contract to maintain the Royal Navy’s internal and external communications systems.
The Maritime Communications Capability Support contract aims to sustain the Royal Navy’s combat capabilities. Thales’ responsibilities include obsolescence recovery, inventory management, defect repairs and round-the-clock support operations.
Thales UK CEO Phil Siveter expressed satisfaction in continuing to support the Royal Navy’s mission. “This long-term fleetwide support framework reflects our unwavering commitment to ensuring the Royal Navy remains combat-ready and equipped with world-class communications capabilities today and into the future,” the chief executive said.
According to Thales, the contract is expected to sustain approximately 100 skilled jobs and save the Royal Navy $37.4 million in costs over the next decade. This is thanks to the agreement’s more streamlined approach, with Thales UK, DE&S and the Royal Navy working under a “one defense” philosophy, reducing bureaucracy and enhancing efficiency.
“By working as ‘one team’ across the naval enterprise, we are driving innovation and systems integration to place the Royal Navy at the cutting edge of defense technology for the next decade,” Siveter said.
This new contract expands Thales’ longstanding relationship with the U.K. government. In early 2024, Thales secured a $2.3 billion, 15-year contract to extend the operational life span of the Royal Navy’s fleet by deploying advanced sensors, artificial intelligence and data analysis solutions. The company also recently collaborated with Leonardo UK and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory on an air defense laser for the Royal Air Force. The system, equipped with the Elix-IR threat warning system, will be deployed on RAF’s intel-gathering aircraft.