Serco Wins £1bn Royal Navy Contracts
Serco has secured three major contracts worth over £1 billion from the UK Ministry of Defence to provide maritime services for the Royal Navy, extending its nearly 30-year partnership. The contracts cover in-port, inshore, and offshore support, enhancing Royal Navy capabilities.
Contract Details:
In-Port Services (£850m, 10 years): Covering HMNB Devonport, Portsmouth, and the Clyde, including 24 new support vessels for towage, passenger transfer, and maintenance.
Inshore Support (£70m, 5 years): Providing support for military training and exercises at the British Underwater Test and Evaluation Centre (BUTEC) in Scotland, alongside Diver Training and Range Safety.
DASA Innovators Drive £1B UK Economic Boost
The UK Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) has generated nearly £1 billion in economic impact, creating 1,842 jobs, according to a new report. DASA-backed companies, including Osler Diagnostics and Calyo, secured £592 million in additional investment, with £174 million raised in 2024 alone.
Osler Diagnostics secured £73.8 million for its diagnostic technology, while Calyo advanced AI-enabled ultrasound sensing. DASA Head Anita Friend highlighted the accelerator’s role in driving UK defence innovation and economic growth.
TEKEVER Pledges £400M for UK Defence, 1,000 Jobs
TEKEVER will invest £400 million in UK defence over five years, creating 1,000 skilled jobs. The investment supports the “OVERMATCH” programme, boosting AI, autonomy, and advanced manufacturing.
TEKEVER’s AR3 drone, equipped with Leonardo’s BriteStorm, will power the RAF’s StormShroud electronic warfare programme, enhancing UK defence capabilities. CEO Ricardo Mendes highlighted the UK’s role in driving Europe’s defence innovation.
MoD Awards £20.5M Contract to Northrop Grumman
The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded Northrop Grumman UK Ltd a £20.5 million contract to support navigation and radar systems on Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth Class carriers and other naval platforms.
The contract covers maintenance, repairs, safety management, and technical support for systems including the Integrated Navigation and Bridge Systems (INBS) on the carriers, VM250 Radar, Astute Ships Inertial Navigation System, and MK39 Gyroscope.
UK MoD Receives First of Six H145 Helicopters
The UK Ministry of Defence has received the first of six Airbus H145 helicopters to replace retiring Puma HC2s in Cyprus and Brunei. The £122 million fleet, modified by Airbus Helicopters UK, will support aerial firefighting and jungle training, operated by RAF’s 84 Squadron and the Army Air Corps’ 667 Squadron.
Space Forge Raises £22.6M for Space Manufacturing
UK-based Space Forge has raised £22.6 million ($30 million) in a record Series A round led by NATO Innovation Fund, with support from World Fund, NSSIF, and British Business Bank.
The funding will accelerate the development of ForgeStar2 and support the 2025 launch of ForgeStar-1, pioneering returnable manufacturing satellites. Space Forge uses space’s unique conditions—microgravity and extreme temperatures—to create advanced materials for semiconductors, clean energy, and defence.
CEO Joshua Western called the funding a “major milestone” for space-based manufacturing. The round also drew investment from Cardiff Capital Region, Gaingels, SpaceVC, and London Technology Club.
Royal Navy Extends Systematics NATO Messaging Deal
The UK Royal Navy has extended Systematics contract for five years to maintain the NATO Message Catalogue (APP-11) and support Message Text Formats (MTFs). These formats ensure secure communication across NATO, even in denied environments. Systematic will also continue representing the UK at NATO working groups, advancing MTF standards. This extension marks 25 years of Systematics support for the Royal Navy.
Filtronic Wins Airbus Contract for OneWeb Satellites
Filtronic has secured a contract with Airbus Defence and Space to supply advanced filter and diplexer assemblies for Eutelsat OneWeb’s satellite constellation. The assemblies, produced at Filtronic’s UK facility, will support OneWeb’s global broadband network. CEO Nat Edington highlighted this as a key step in Filtronic’s space sector growth.
Leonardo, Faculty AI Partner on Defence AI
Leonardo UK has partnered with Faculty AI to accelerate AI-driven defence technologies, focusing on Cognitive Intelligent Sensing (CoInS) and Electronic Warfare (EW). The collaboration, part of Leonardo’s SME Collaboration Programme, aims to fast-track AI innovations for military use.
Initial projects will enhance sensor autonomy and upgrade EW capabilities, including Leonardo’s BriteCloud and BriteStorm systems. Faculty AI will also support Leonardo’s UK operations, offering AI expertise and training through industry fellowships.
Leonardo’s Professor Simon Harwood highlighted the partnership’s goal of delivering practical AI solutions, while Faculty CEO Marc Warner emphasized AI’s role in improving defence decision-making and efficiency.
NP Aerospace Opens New Coventry Facility
NP Aerospace has opened a new 5.73-acre facility in Coventry, boosting its UK defence capabilities. The 80,000 sq. ft. site enhances vehicle integration, armour production, and engineering, creating jobs and supporting UK MOD and global defence customers. CEO James Kempston highlighted the site’s role in strengthening UK defence supply chains and expanding export capacity. MP Mary Creagh praised NP Aerospace’s commitment to local growth.
UK-Germany Advance Trinity House Defence Pact
The UK and Germany have issued a joint statement highlighting progress on the Trinity House Agreement following a meeting between UK Defence Secretary John Healey and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius in Berlin.
The Trinity House Agreement, established to enhance UK-German defence cooperation, has achieved significant milestones in military collaboration, joint training, and intelligence sharing. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening European security and enhancing NATO’s operational capabilities.
Defence Secretary John Healey emphasized the importance of continued UK-German defence cooperation, while Minister Boris Pistorius highlighted the mutual benefits of shared defence initiatives. Further developments are expected in the coming months.
UK Defence Unveils ‘Engine for Growth’ Initiative
The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has launched the ‘Engine for Growth’ initiative to boost innovation and economic growth, announced by Defence Secretary John Healey at the London Stock Exchange.
Key measures include:
Defence Tech Scaler: A new platform for software, data, and AI suppliers, with £50 million in Enterprise Agreements with Adarga, Hadean, Oxford Dynamics, and White Space.
Procurement Reform: Faster contracting – major equipment (six to two years), upgrades (three to one year), off-the-shelf purchases (three months).
UK Defence Innovation: A £400 million fund for cutting-edge technology.
Defence Industrial Joint Council: A forum for public-private investment coordination.
MOD-backed SMEs have secured £600 million in private investment, creating 1,800 jobs. Healey emphasized UK Defence is “open for business.”
Helsing Unveils Lura and SG-1 for Underwater Surveillance
Helsing has unveiled Lura, an AI-powered maritime surveillance platform, and SG-1 Fathom, an autonomous underwater glider, to enhance underwater threat detection.
Lura’s advanced acoustic technology detects and classifies submarine sounds, while SG-1 Fathom gliders provide scalable, real-time monitoring. The system was demonstrated at HM Naval Base Portsmouth and will be deployed within a year.
Helsing is partnering with Blue Ocean Marine Tech Systems, Ocean Infinity, and Qinetiq to deliver this next-generation underwater defence solution.
Evolve Dynamics Debuts Foxe and Wolfe UAS
UK-based Evolve Dynamics has unveiled two new mini–Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS), Foxe and Wolfe, designed for enhanced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
Foxe: Ultra-light (sub-250g) with 35-minute flight time, rapid deployment, and robust weather resilience.
Wolfe: Rugged (sub-4kg), offering 60-minute endurance, multi-day operations, and advanced stability in harsh conditions.
CEO Tom Redman highlighted the platforms as “battle-tested” and designed for frontline defence, leveraging insights from Ukraine deployments.
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