BAE Systems Secures Major Contract for Royal Navy Combat Systems
UK Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) has awarded a significant contract to BAE Systems aimed at upgrading the combat management systems utilized by Royal Navy warships. Valued at £285 million (approximately $354.7 million), this agreement encompasses maintenance and enhancement services for various classes of naval vessels, including the Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, Type 23 Duke-class frigates, Type 26 City-class frigates, and Type 45 Daring-class destroyers.
The scope of this contract involves a range of technologies that integrate weapons and sensors, providing the necessary infrastructure and network capabilities to support tactical strategies, enhance situational awareness, conduct threat assessments, and manage armament controls, alongside navigation and automated piloting systems.
Long-Term Support and Development
The initiatives outlined in the contract will span an eight-year period, with an option for an additional two years, reflecting BAE’s commitment to long-term service projects with the British military that extend over more than a decade. The Real-time Combat System Open Data Enablers (RECODE) program is designed to ensure that the combat management systems, which have been operational for approximately 25 years, continue to evolve and meet modern warfare demands.
Steve Carter, BAE Systems Naval Ships Combat Systems Director, emphasized the importance of the RECODE program, stating, “This initiative signifies a major advancement in our partnership with the Royal Navy, enhancing future warfare capabilities. The shifting global threat landscape and rapid technological advancements necessitate a more ambitious approach to our services and support, ensuring the Navy remains versatile in its operational capabilities.”
Job Creation and Economic Impact
DE&S has highlighted that the RECODE program is expected to generate over 200 job opportunities across various locations, including Dorchester, Filton, Frimley, New Malden, and Portsmouth. This initiative is not only pivotal for the modernization of the Royal Navy’s combat management systems but also aims to boost local economies through investments in small and medium enterprises and suppliers in the UK.
Cdre. Phil Game, DE&S Interim Director for Sense, Decide and Communicate, remarked, “This program is crucial for sustaining and enhancing the capabilities of current combat management systems on in-service Royal Navy vessels. It will ensure that these systems remain modern, robust, and adaptable. Our collaboration with industry partners will also focus on workforce development, ensuring that jobs are maintained and skills are enhanced throughout the UK.”
