BAE Systems and Hamek Sign Maritime Collaboration MoU
BAE Systems and Norwegian shipyard Hamek have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on supporting Norway’s future maritime needs. The agreement, signed at Hamek’s Harstad site, aims to enhance ship support and maintenance capabilities, with Hamek planning further investments in its dry-dock and shipyard facilities.
The MoU aligns with Norway’s ongoing procurement process for advanced naval capabilities, where BAE Systems’ Type 26 frigate is under consideration. If selected, BAE and Hamek will work together to provide maintenance and support solutions, creating economic benefits for the region.
The signing event, attended by British and Norwegian defence officials, took place alongside a visit from the Royal Navy’s RFA Lyme Bay. The partnership builds on long-standing UK-Norway maritime cooperation and aims to strengthen regional preparedness in northern Norway.
BAE’s Norway Campaign Director, Bruce Balchin, highlighted the importance of deepening industrial ties between the nations, while Hamek’s Managing Director, Jan Oddvar Olsen, said the agreement lays the foundation for future growth and enhances Norway’s maritime readiness.
MOD Awards Navy Contracts to Scott Aerospace & Basetek
The Ministry of Defence has announced a contract for maritime maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) to support the Royal Navy’s fleet. Issued under the DSPCR 2011 framework, the award falls under the Power, Propulsion, and Auxiliaries Team within the Defence Equipment Support Ships Operating Centre.
The contract, published on 28 February 2025, runs from 12 February to 14 May 2025 and covers marine electrical items. Scott Aerospace (Bristol) and Basetek (Ipswich) were selected as suppliers through a mini-competition process under the existing framework agreement.
While the exact call-off price remains undisclosed for commercial reasons, the contract value is reported to range between £1 and £317 million. The framework is designed to provide global support for Royal Naval platforms, ensuring essential repairs and overhauls are delivered effectively.
This award is part of a broader Royal Navy sustainment strategy and is open to SMEs and Voluntary and Community Organisations. The MOD has also noted that the fleet size may fluctuate during the contract period, which could affect future maintenance requirements.
MoD Awards £64.8m Contract to CGI for Borealis System
The Ministry of Defence has awarded CGI a £64.8 million contract to develop the Borealis software system for the National Space Operations Centre (NSpOC). This collaboration also involves UK Space Command and the UK Space Agency.
Borealis is set to enhance the UK’s space domain awareness and command and control capabilities by integrating civilian and military assets. The system will build on the existing Aurora platform to monitor space and support timely decision-making.
NSpOC, responsible for the UK’s space surveillance and protection, will use Borealis to collate and process data across multiple classifications up to Top Secret, enabling robust space operations.
The software will integrate current and future sensors and systems, with iterative development planned through the contract, which runs until the end of March 2028.
MOD Awards £3.5m Contract for Warrior Training System to CAE
The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded a £3.5 million contract to CAE (UK) Plc for the Warrior Training System, ensuring continued training for British Army crews operating Warrior Armoured Fighting Vehicles.
The one-year contract, with options to extend up to three additional years, covers essential training systems including the Warrior Gunnery Turret Trainer, Warrior Desk Top Trainer, and Artillery Fire Control Trainer. These systems are vital for preparing crews before transitioning to live operations.
The MOD selected CAE as the single-source provider, citing the company’s exclusive technical expertise and status as the Design Authority for these systems. CAE’s possession of production manuals and technical drawings makes it uniquely qualified to manage obsolescence and sustain the training programme until around 2030.
CAE will execute the contract from its Burgess Hill site in West Sussex, supporting the MOD’s Training Simulation Systems Programme. This award ensures that British Army Warrior crews continue to receive critical training, reinforcing operational readiness as the systems near their eventual out-of-service date.
Kahootz Secures MoD Contract Extension
The leading British provider of secure online collaboration platforms, Kahootz, has announced a minimum two-year extension of its contract with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) for its Defence Share platform. This extension ensures the continued use of the only platform accredited to store and share Official-Sensitive information.
Marking nearly a decade of successful cooperation, the cloud-based Defence Share platform enables the MOD to securely collaborate with its wider supply chain and integrate internal operations. This long-term partnership reinforces the MOD’s commitment to fostering innovation and engaging agile, high-performing SMEs to strengthen the UK’s defence industrial base.
The contract extension also highlights Kahootz’s commitment to enhancing the platform’s user experience and security. Working closely with the MOD Cyber Team, Kahootz is rolling out improved cybersecurity measures that address the rapidly changing threat landscape. This investment has allowed the company to double its workforce in the last six months and reinvest in its platform.
Luca Leone, CEO of Kahootz, stated, “We are honoured to continue supporting the MOD and strengthening the UK’s defence capabilities. This extension recognizes our work in providing a secure platform that ensures access for organisations of all sizes, especially SMEs, which are vital to our national security.”
Raplas Wins DTEP Funding for BAE 3D Printing Project
UK-based SME Raplas Technologies has been awarded funding through the Defence Technology Exploitation Programme (DTEP) to develop advanced 3D printing solutions for defence applications. Working alongside BAE Systems, Raplas will design and manufacture a system capable of safely printing and processing energetic materials in an automated, unmanned environment.
The project, supported by a government grant covering 50% of costs, aims to enhance UK defence capabilities while strengthening the domestic supply chain. By developing these processes locally, Raplas will reduce reliance on international imports and ensure a secure, sovereign supply of critical materials for the Ministry of Defence.
DTEP, sponsored by the MOD’s Directorate of Industrial Strategy and Exports and delivered by DASA, Innovate UK, and ADS, supports innovative SME projects that boost competitiveness in the defence sector.
Leaders from Raplas, BAE Systems, and DASA all welcomed the partnership, highlighting its importance for fostering cutting-edge technology and ensuring the UK’s future defence resilience.
VRAI Raises €5M for US Expansion
Dublin-based VRAI, a leader in human performance data for simulation training, has secured €5 million in a new investment round. The funds will drive US expansion, double the team from 25 to 50 employees, and aim to triple annual revenues over the next three years.
Founded in 2017, VRAI currently supplies simulation data products to major clients like Kongsberg, BAE Systems, and the British Army, with additional applications in offshore renewables and emergency services.
The investment round, led by Beringea with support from Enterprise Ireland, Northstar Ventures, and leading Irish family offices, leverages Beringea’s transatlantic network to tap into the US simulation market.
CEO Pat O’Connor stated the funds will boost innovation and growth, while Beringea’s Investment Director Luke Edis emphasized the critical role of simulated environments in reducing training costs and risks across defence and aerospace industries.
Telespazio UK Secures ESA QA4EO-2 Contract
UK-based Telespazio has been awarded the framework contract for ESA’s QA4EO-2 project, a five-year initiative that extends an ongoing program since 2009 to ensure high-quality Earth Observation data. The project will manage quality control, calibration, and validation of data from ESA and Third-Party Missions.
A pan-European consortium—comprising partners like Serco, University College London, the National Physical Laboratory, EOSense, and the Finnish Meteorological Institute-will deliver the project from ESA’s ESRIN site in Frascati, covering a broad range of satellite missions in optical, radar, atmospheric, and altimetry domains.
Key to the project is the integration of Artificial Intelligence into the quality control process, enhancing data reliability even as volumes increase. Metrology research, led by the National Physical Laboratory, will develop inter-satellite calibration techniques to monitor system-level changes and climate impacts, with strong links to the upcoming ESA TRUTHS mission.
Industry leaders emphasize the project’s significance. Geoff Busswell of Telespazio highlights its role in delivering dependable EO data globally, while Philippe Goryl of ESRIN and UK Space Agency CEO Paul Bate note that these innovations will bolster climate monitoring and strengthen the UK’s leadership in Earth Observation technology.
BMT and JMU Win Japan Landing Craft Deal
BMT and Japan Marine United (JMU) have secured a contract from Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) to design and build next-generation High Speed Landing Craft for the Japan Self Defence Force. The partnership combines BMT’s renowned ship design expertise with JMU’s proven track record in high-performance vessel construction.
The new craft, based on BMT’s Caimen® design, will be around 30 metres long and feature a unique tri-bow hull, delivering enhanced seakeeping, beaching, and speeds over 20 knots. Designed to rapidly transport troops and vehicles, the vessels will significantly improve Japan’s amphibious capabilities.
BMT will provide the initial design from the UK, while JMU will handle production design and construction in Japan. The project highlights growing UK-Japan defence cooperation and brings cutting-edge design and technology together to meet Japan’s operational needs.
Both companies emphasised the importance of international collaboration in delivering advanced maritime solutions. The new craft will play a key role in strengthening Japan’s rapid response and amphibious operations, ensuring faster and more flexible deployments in challenging environments.
Viasat Receives UK MoD ERS Gold Award
Viasat has been awarded the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Gold Award by the UK Ministry of Defence, recognising its commitment to supporting the armed forces community under the UK Armed Forces Covenant. The award highlights Viasat’s ongoing efforts to provide employment, education, and support for veterans, reservists, and military families.
The ERS Gold Award is the highest level of recognition, reserved for organisations that demonstrate outstanding support and fully align their values with the Armed Forces Covenant. Viasat and Inmarsat, acquired in May 2023, have both signed the Covenant, affirming their commitment to defence community support.
Viasat actively employs hundreds of veterans and military family members globally, integrating their skills and experience into its workforce. The company also offers tailored employment programmes to help veterans transition into civilian roles.
Todd McDonell, Viasat’s President of International Government, said the company is proud to receive the Gold Award and will continue to champion the armed forces community by offering meaningful careers and ongoing support for service personnel and their families.