Thales wins contract to equip future Type 31 frigates with CMS.

According to a PR published by Thales on May 10, 2023, the firm has been contracted to deliver an extra combat mission system to the Royal Navy as part of the ongoing Type 31 frigate program.
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Artist rendering of the future Type 31 frigate. (Picture source: Babcock)

This contract marks Thales' first venture in the UK's above-water systems sector, creating and maintaining jobs in Crawley while capitalizing on the successful technology transfer from the Netherlands. The systems will be installed at the Royal Navy's integration facility in Portsmouth.

The Ministry of Defence and Thales have inked a deal to provide the Royal Navy with a sixth Type 31 mission system ship-set, which will be implemented at Portsdown Technology Park, the Royal Navy’s shore integration facility.

The combat system aims to test software before deploying it at sea, ensuring efficient and secure delivery for the Royal Navy while enabling the integration of new capabilities throughout the program's duration.

A ship-set consists of Tacticos, the combat management system, an Integrated Bridge and Navigation System (IBNS), and an Integrated Communication System (ICS).

This contract represents a significant step in Thales' plans to expand its above-water systems operations in the UK. Since being chosen to supply combat systems for the Type 31 Frigates in 2019, Thales has established a new business line in Crawley.

The business officially launched in 2021 and now employs over 60 people in the UK. This contract has resulted in the creation and maintenance of 30 positions.

The sixth Type 31 mission system ship-set will be equipped with simulators to facilitate comprehensive testing and in-service evolution, both as an individual platform and as an integral component of the Royal Navy fleet.

This is a crucial aspect of the Type 31 capability insertion project, which will allow the Type 31 platforms to be transferred from industry and enter operational service with the Royal Navy.

The project will position Thales alongside the Naval Combat Systems Integration Support Services (NCSISS) and the MoD’s Maritime Combat Systems (MCS) teams in Portsmouth as part of the Surface Ships Combat systems enterprise.

The tasking framework is expected to support and encompass a range of integration activities, trials, and demonstration efforts to bring the platforms to a tested operational level.

Type 31

With a displacement of 5,700 tons and a length of 138.7 meters, this frigate will be equipped with state-of-the-art sensors and processing systems, making it a formidable asset for any navy.

The frigate will be powered by a CODAD propulsion system consisting of four Rolls Royce/MTU 20V 8000 M71 diesel engines generating 8.2 MW and four Rolls Royce/MTU 16V 2000 M41B generators generating 900 kW each. She will have a top speed of over 28 knots and an endurance of 9,000 nautical miles, making it suitable for long-range operations.