Thales awards 1.8 Billion to improve operational availability of Royal Navy.

According to a PR published by Thales on February 2, 2024, the UK Ministry of Defence has announced the awarding of a £1.8 billion contract to Thales, intended to last for 15 years, aimed at improving the operational availability and resilience of Royal Navy vessels.
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British Type 26 frigate HMS Glasgow. (Picture source: RN)

The contract, named the Maritime Sensor Enhancement Team (MSET), intends to shift maintenance strategies from reactive to predictive, utilizing artificial intelligence and advanced data management techniques.

This agreement is timed with the Royal Navy’s transition period, which includes the incorporation of new platforms such as the Type 26 and Type 31 frigates, Dreadnought-class submarines, and autonomous systems. MSET aims to provide a scalable support model that ensures consistent and comprehensive service throughout this transition.

With a focus on employing new technologies like AI, virtual reality, and big data for maintenance, the contract aims to reduce repair turnaround times by an average of 100 days, decrease spare parts lead times by an average of 44 days, and improve reliability by 10%.

Infrastructure upgrades at Royal Navy bases, including HMNB Devonport, Faslane, Portsmouth, and Bahrain, are also part of the contract. These upgrades will facilitate advanced testing and repair capabilities, allowing for better technical and engineering support directly at the naval front.