MoD Awards £125m for Astute-Class Submarine Upkeep
The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded a £125 million contract to Devonport Royal Dockyard Limited to support the Astute-class submarine Deep Maintenance Project (DMP).
This contract amendment focuses on procuring vital materials and equipment for the project, including valves, pipes, and specialized tools. Devonport Royal Dockyard was selected due to their unique expertise in maintaining Astute-class submarines and their ownership of a nuclear-licensed facility suitable for storing and handling these sensitive components.
The MoD justifies the sole-source contract by citing Devonport Royal Dockyard’s extensive experience and access to essential technical knowledge for Astute-class maintenance. This ensures project continuity and adherence to strict safety regulations.
Capgemini £9m Invests in AI for UK Armed Forces
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has partnered with Capgemini in a £9.2 million deal to bolster the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation across the UK Armed Forces and wider defence sector
This two-year agreement focuses on the Automation Garage, a MoD initiative established five years ago to implement robotic process automation (RPA) within the military and MoD itself. The project is overseen by Defence Business Services (DBS), a government unit responsible for IT, HR, and other back-office services for the Armed Forces and civil service operations.
Capgemini will assist DBS in “building upon existing automation and digitalisation capabilities” across the defence sector. This includes incorporating “hyper automation technologies” like machine learning and AI tools into current workflows. The project aims to streamline various functions, including technology platforms, service delivery, and user-centric design.
A key objective is to ensure automation delivers tangible benefits. The MoD has identified preferred automation technologies, including Blue Prism’s RPA tools and Microsoft’s Power Platform software. New options may be explored as the MoD’s strategy evolves.
Beyond technology implementation, Capgemini will provide training and knowledge transfer to MoD personnel involved in the Automation Garage project. They will also help establish the initiative as a showcase for automation’s potential, offering case studies and supporting communication efforts.
The initial contract concludes in May 2026, with a potential one-year extension at the MoD’s discretion. This collaboration signifies the MoD’s commitment to leveraging AI and automation to enhance efficiency and capabilities within the defence sector.
£300m Boost for UK and Saudi Aerospace as ARC and Life Shield Join Forces
ARC Aero Systems and Saudi Arabian defence specialist Life Shield have signed a strategic partnership agreement worth over £300 million. This collaboration promises significant investments in both the UK and Saudi aerospace sectors.
The deal involves:
- Joint Venture: A new company, Life Shield Aerospace, will be established in Saudi Arabia with equity investment from both the Saudi government and Life Shield.
- UK Manufacturing Boost: Pilot production of ARC’s innovative aircraft – the Pegasus air taxi, Linx P9 rotorcraft, and C600 UAV – will take place in the UK.
- Saudi Production and Export: Life Shield Aerospace will set up facilities for large-scale aircraft manufacturing in Saudi Arabia, catering to both domestic and international markets.
- UK Pilot Training: The agreement includes the provision of UK-based pilot training for the new aircraft.
- Academic Collaboration: Potential for strategic collaboration with Cranfield University is on the table.
ARC’s CEO, Dr Seyed Mosheni, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting its benefits for both countries’ economies and the advancement of ARC’s technology. This global venture positions ARC to capitalize on the booming urban air mobility market, projected to reach £35,479,350,00.00 by 2030.
Rheinmetall Teams Up With Lightspace to Develop Next-Gen Military AR Systems
Rheinmetall Electronics UK and Light space Technologies announced a partnership to develop next-generation Augmented Reality (AR) systems for the military market.
This collaboration leverages Rheinmetall’s extensive experience in defence and security with Light space’s expertise in AR technology, particularly their innovative multi-focal solutions. Multi-focal AR displays information across multiple focal planes, reducing eye strain and enhancing situational awareness for soldiers.
The partnership builds upon a successful 2023 collaboration where Rheinmetall and Light space co-developed a prototype AR system that impressed the UK Ministry of Defence during the Army Warfighting Experiment.
“This partnership strengthens our collaboration with Light space,” said a Rheinmetall Electronics UK spokesperson. “By combining our expertise, we aim to create cutting-edge AR systems specifically designed for defence applications.”
These new AR systems are expected to significantly improve soldiers’ decision-making processes and operational effectiveness.
Rheinmetall Electronics UK, headquartered in Newport, England, is a leading provider of high-performance solutions for military and civilian customers.
That’s a wrap folks. Hope you all have a great week.