The Royal Navy is set to receive a major upgrade to its warship combat systems. A £285 million contract has been awarded to BAE Systems to modernize and maintain vital Combat Management Systems (CMS) aboard a range of Royal Navy vessels, including the Type 23 frigates, Type 45 destroyers, Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, and Type 26 frigates.
This multi-faceted project promises to bolster the Navy’s operational capabilities and to provide a significant boost to the UK’s high-tech sector, supporting over 200 jobs across the country.
The upgraded systems will significantly enhance the Navy’s ability to track, analyze, and respond to threats in real-time, providing warship crews with comprehensive, up-to-the-minute situational awareness.
The CMS, which plays a pivotal role in combat decision-making, integrates a variety of tools to ensure operators can effectively manage weapons, sensors, and navigation systems. This includes the ability to compile tactical pictures, evaluate threats, assign weapons, and even control weaponry from a distance.
Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle MP, praised the contract, describing it as a crucial part of the government’s strategy to position defense as a catalyst for economic growth.
“This significant investment in our industry is another example of how our Government is making defense an engine for growth,” Eagle said, emphasizing the link between national security and a robust economy.
The RECODE (Real-time Combat System Open Data Enablers) initiative will further support the UK’s defense infrastructure and industrial base, benefiting hundreds of skilled workers at BAE Systems’ locations in Filton, Dorchester, New Malden, Frimley, and Portsmouth. Moreover, the contract will create additional opportunities for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and high-tech suppliers across the UK, strengthening the broader defense supply chain.
The Combat Management System is integral to the Royal Navy’s operational success. This advanced technology enables crews to perform vital functions, such as:
Situation Awareness: Providing real-time data on the environment surrounding the ship, including potential threats.
Tactical Picture Compilation: Aggregating information to create a coherent picture of the battlefield, allowing for informed decision-making.
Threat Evaluation and Weapon Assignment: Assessing potential threats and determining the appropriate response, including weaponry use.
Navigation and Blind Pilotage: Ensuring safe and accurate navigation, even in challenging or compromised conditions.
Weapon Direction and Control: Enabling precise targeting and control of various weapon systems.
With these systems, Royal Navy crews are better equipped to respond quickly and effectively to any threat, whether from enemy forces or environmental hazards.
The importance of such upgrades is can be traced by recent events. Just last week, the Royal Navy successfully tracked the Russian spy ship Yantar as it sailed through British waters. With the upgraded combat management systems, the Navy was able to monitor its movements in real-time before the ship departed for the Mediterranean.
This ability to detect and track potential threats is vital for national security, and systems like RECODE will further enhance the Navy’s deterrence capabilities, ensuring that the UK remains prepared for any emerging challenges.
This contract is a technological represents a key element of the UK government’s broader Defense Industrial Strategy. Launched in December, the strategy aims to position the defense sector as a key driver of national growth, aligning national security needs with economic development.
The relationship between BAE Systems and the Royal Navy spans over 25 years, with the company providing critical support for combat management systems throughout that time. The new contract will continue this partnership, ensuring that the Navy’s fleets are equipped with cutting-edge technology that can respond to the evolving nature of global threats.