UK Armed Forces will benefit from world-class equipment training and testing under a contract which supports more than 1,200 skilled jobs across the UK.
The five-year £1.5 billion contract extension with British defence firm QinetiQ provides test, trial, training and evaluation of defence equipment and capabilities at 16 Ministry of Defence sites. This includes missile firings, test pilot training and delivering live-threat scenarios.
The Long-Term Partnering Agreement will sustain 1,200 UK jobs, including more than 200 in Scotland and 200 in Wales, delivering on the government’s Plan for Change by boosting jobs and prosperity for working people, while keeping the nation safe.
The investment supports an extensive supply chain of 825 companies, including 590 small-to-medium enterprises – demonstrating the government’s commitment to small businesses and their access to the defence market and ensuring defence is an engine for growth in every region and nation of the UK.
The contract will ensure UK Armed Forces equipment remains combat-ready and will support the delivery of future capabilities, including the Global Combat Air Programme’s next-generation combat aircraft.
The Agreement has supported key moments for UK capabilities, including the first launch of a ballistic rocket into space from the UK, the first firing of a high-power laser directed energy weapon – DragonFire – against aerial targets and Europe’s first successful demonstration of teaming a piloted aircraft with an autonomous air vehicle.
Defence Secretary John Healey MP said:
“Rigorously tested equipment and the trialling of emerging technologies are key to ensuring our Armed Forces are using combat-ready capabilities on the frontline.
“The contract will help keep Britain secure at home and strong abroad, as we drive forward innovation to bolster our national security and support skilled jobs across the UK.
“With hundreds of British businesses supported by this investment through QinetiQ’s supply chain, we are demonstrating how defence is an engine for growth across the UK, and delivering on our Plan for Change.”
Under the agreement, QinetiQ will invest in modernising the UK’s equipment testing capabilities to keep pace with operational needs. The contract will also support around 30 early careers professionals, providing development opportunities such as digital training in modelling and simulation for engineers.
