James Fisher Defence Wins £11M UK MoD Subsea Support Deal
JFD has been awarded an eight-year, £11 million contract by the UK Ministry of Defence to continue supporting its subsea capabilities. The deal covers upgrades and maintenance of Transportable Manned Compression Chambers (TMCCs), used for treating decompression sickness in military diving operations.
Under the contract, JFD will assess, certify, and enhance the chambers to meet military and international diving standards, while also providing training and scheduled maintenance.
JFD Managing Director Rob Hales said the award highlights the company’s innovation and understanding of MoD requirements. The firm’s systems, including the Cowan TRCS, are already in use by global navies, with over 100 delivered to the US and Australia.
The contract reinforces JFD’s role as a key provider of hyperbaric and diving systems to defence forces worldwide.
Roke Wins £251M UK Missile Defence Contract
Roke, a subsidiary of Chemring, has secured a six-year, £251 million contract with the UK Ministry of Defence to lead a major missile defence programme. Under the STORM (Science & Technology Oriented Research & Development in Missile Defence) framework, Roke will work in partnership with the UK Missile Defence Centre to develop advanced capabilities to counter current and emerging threats, including ballistic and hypersonic missiles.
As the prime contractor, Roke will deliver core elements of the programme while overseeing a consortium of industry partners responsible for the bulk of the work. The contract positions Roke at the centre of the UK’s missile defence R&D ecosystem, enhancing national and allied security.
Chemring CEO Michael Ord said the deal reflects Roke’s deep expertise in solving complex defence challenges and marks a pivotal step in strengthening the UK’s defence capabilities.
Leonardo Wins Merlin Support Contract Extension
The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has extended Leonardo’s Integrated Merlin Operational Support (IMOS) contract for up to two years, ensuring continued expert maintenance for the Royal Navy’s fleet of 54 AW101 Merlin helicopters. This extension covers both the Merlin HM Mk2 maritime patrol helicopters and Merlin HC Mk4/Mk4A amphibious aircraft, supporting roles from anti-submarine warfare to troop transport.
The contract, based at Leonardo’s Yeovil facility and supported by key subcontractors Lockheed Martin and SERCO, will sustain UK jobs and apprenticeships while maintaining the fleet’s readiness. The Merlin helicopters are critical for homeland defence and naval operations, such as surveillance and battlefield lift.
Minister for Defence Procurement, Maria Eagle, highlighted the importance of this investment in maintaining the UK’s defence capabilities and driving economic growth. The contract also supports the Royal Navy’s deployment of Merlin helicopters, including operations like Carrier Strike Group 25.
Leonardo, the prime contractor, continues its partnership with the MOD and Royal Navy to ensure high aircraft availability, securing jobs and contributing to the nation’s security.
Babcock Win Ukraine 3D Printing Deal
Babcock has secured a proof-of-concept contract from the UK Ministry of Defence to support Ukraine’s armed forces with 3D printing capabilities. In partnership with QinetiQ, Babcock will reverse-engineer older military parts to create digital CAD files for in-country manufacturing.
The project aims to allow Ukrainian forces to produce vital components on demand using various methods, including 3D printing, enhancing operational flexibility.
Tom Newman, CEO of Babcock’s Land Sector, said the initiative gives Ukraine the ability to produce needed parts “where and when it really matters.” QinetiQ will provide material assurance expertise, ensuring quality and reliability in the field.
The contract builds on Babcock’s ongoing support to Ukraine, including vehicle repair support for platforms like the Challenger 2 tank.
BMT & AEUK Enhance Autonomous Navigation
BMT has partnered with ATLAS ELEKTRONIK UK (AEUK) to enhance autonomous maritime navigation using BMT’s Synthetic Environment Assurance Service (SEAS) testbed. The collaboration focused on testing AEUK’s ARCIMS autonomous navigation system, ensuring compliance with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs).
ARCIMS, a modular maritime platform designed for autonomous operations, underwent rigorous assessment in BMT’s SEAS testbed, simulating complex real-world conditions. This testing provided critical insights into the system’s decision-making capabilities, aiding certification and deployment.
By leveraging simulation-based assurance, BMT helped AEUK refine its algorithms and validate the system’s safe operational performance. The partnership underscores the importance of trustworthy AI in autonomous systems and supports the UK’s regulatory framework for maritime autonomy.
BMT’s expertise in maritime engineering and regulatory compliance continues to shape the future of autonomous maritime safety, reinforcing its role as a leader in advancing MAS technology.
Aurora Avionics Secures £500K to Advance Space Tech
Edinburgh-based aerospace firm Aurora Avionics has secured a £500,000 investment from Kelvin Capital, Gabriel, and Scottish Enterprise to accelerate the development of its space launch guidance systems.
The funding will support hiring new engineers, expanding operations at the Royal Observatory, and advancing its modular avionics technology designed to make space launches faster, safer, and more cost-effective.
CEO Oren Smith-Carpenter said the investment is a major step toward transforming spaceflight technology. The firm, founded in 2023, is developing cutting-edge control systems for launch vehicles and rockets and has committed to expanding its lab capabilities to simulate real space environments.
The round follows a previous £320,000 investment and Aurora’s inclusion in Scottish Enterprise’s High Growth Ventures portfolio.
Viking Arms Wins UK Army FPV Drone Training Contract
The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded Viking Arms Ltd a £256,080 contract to supply First-Person View (FPV) drones for British Army training. The 19-day procurement (12–31 March 2025) aims to enhance FPV strike capabilities, reflecting lessons from the Ukraine conflict.
The contract provides 180 quadcopter-style drones (5″, 8″, and 10″), along with controllers, goggles, and accessories for modular training. These drones will simulate anti-tank, anti-personnel, and anti-structure munitions.
Aligned with the Army’s “Any/Any Network” vision, the initiative supports efforts to integrate digital warfare, enabling British forces to counter larger adversaries by 2030. The drones, designed for rapid deployment and ease of use, will train military personnel for tactical operations in day and night conditions.
This move underscores the UK’s commitment to modern drone warfare, mirroring global military shifts toward cost-effective, high-impact UAV tactics.
QinetiQ Wins AU$47M Aviation Safety Contract
QinetiQ has secured an AU$47 million, five-year contract—with a possible five-year extension—to support Australia’s Defence Aviation Safety Authority (DASA). Starting 1 July 2025, the deal will streamline safety initiatives, update policies, and enhance training to ensure the highest standards in military aviation and space safety.
Building on a 25-year relationship, QinetiQ will provide DASA with global expertise from its UK and US operations. The company has also partnered with Muru Management Consulting, a 100% female- and Aboriginal-owned firm, to deliver a diverse and expert-led approach to aviation safety.
“This contract strengthens our strategic partnership with DASA,” said Gary Stewart, Chief Executive Australia Sector at QinetiQ. “We’re committed to advancing defence aviation safety capabilities.”
The partnership aims to consolidate various short-term agreements into one coordinated framework, ensuring DASA remains a global leader in defence aviation safety.
Smiths & NeuralGuard Boost AI Threat Detection
Smith’s Detection has partnered with AI specialist NeuralGuard to advance threat detection capabilities in security screening. NeuralGuard’s AI technology is currently being integrated and certified for use with Smiths Detection’s HI-SCAN 6040 2-is X-ray system.
The collaboration falls under Smiths Detection’s Ada Initiative, which promotes responsible open architecture by enabling seamless integration of third-party AI while maintaining high standards of security and performance.
Cymoril Métivier, Global Digital Portfolio Director at Smiths Detection, said the partnership will give customers more flexibility in managing security operations by incorporating NeuralGuard’s AI within Smiths’ infrastructure. Dotan Chayen, CEO of NeuralGuard, called it a “milestone” in making security screening more effective and reliable.
The partnership combines Smiths Detection’s X-ray technology with NeuralGuard’s AI software to boost detection accuracy, reduce operator workload, and streamline workflows through the iCMORE suite—Smiths’ in-house AI toolset that identifies weapons, currency, lithium batteries, and other threats.
This initiative marks a significant step toward more adaptable and intelligent security screening systems.
Allen-Vanguard Delivers TURMOIL to NATO
Allen-Vanguard has successfully delivered its latest Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) product, the TURMOIL RF Decoy, to a long-standing NATO nation, ahead of schedule. While specific details remain classified due to the sensitive nature of the technology, the delivery marks a significant expansion for Allen-Vanguard into the EW domain.
TURMOIL is an advanced RF decoy designed to create false targets by emulating friendly force radio frequencies, helping to deceive enemy sensors and enhance operational freedom in contested electromagnetic environments. It supports surprise operations by disrupting adversary targeting and increasing electromagnetic activity.
Known for its expertise in countering unmanned systems and RCIED threats, Allen-Vanguard developed TURMOIL in response to evolving CEMA (Cyber and Electromagnetic Activities) demands.
“This is an exciting step into the EW space for us,” said Bobby Strawbridge, President of Allen-Vanguard. “TURMOIL not only meets a specific customer need but also showcases our ability to adapt and innovate for the modern battlefield.”
Thanks for reading! Have a great start to the Easter holiday season.