British Firms Bag Long-Term Royal Navy Deals Via Thales

Marshall and SEA have both won long-term contracts from Thales UK as part of its Maritime Sensor Enhancement Team (MSET) programme for the Royal Navy.

Cambridge-based Marshall’s new deal with Thales UK runs to 2039 and will see it build and support key components of anti-submarine sonar arrays.

Sonar 2076 features on Astute-class submarines and will also be fitted to the next-generation Dreadnought-class boats. Sonar 2087 is already used by Type 23 frigates and will also feature on the future Royal Navy Type 26 vessels, as well as its export variants.

SEA (Systems Engineering and Assessment) has agreed a 15-year, £8 million contract with Thales UK as part of the MSET programme. 

Under the terms of the deal SEA will provide ongoing waterfront maintenance and inspections on towed array handling equipment as well as repair services. The MSET maintenance programme supports capabilities including sonar, masts, periscopes and electronic warfare.

Steven Lockley, Managing Director, Underwater Systems, Thales UK, commented: “We are delighted to award Marshall a prominent role in our supply chain for the world’s most advanced sonar suites in recognition of their outstanding technical capabilities and exemplary level of support for flagship UK defence programmes.

“Our collaboration with supply chain partners like Marshall is critical to the continued success of Thales and the Royal Navy’s Maritime Sensor Enhancement Team (MSET) programme, delivering round-the-clock equipment availability and resilience.

“This partnership not only enhances operational capability, but also supports jobs, innovation and investment in the UK’s maritime sector and ensures that platforms equipped with Sonar 2076 and Sonar 2087 remain at the forefront of anti-submarine warfare.”

Chief Executive Officer of Engineering Businesses at Marshall Gareth Williams added: “In addition to reinforcing our highly successful partnership with Thales, this new contract underscores Marshall’s position as a global authority on complex subsystem assembly.

“We are excited to join the UK’s domestic network of experts supporting our continuous at-sea deterrent.”

Head of Maritime Support & Services at SEA Kerry Parfitt commented: “Ensuring naval platforms and capabilities are mission-ready is the backbone of naval operational readiness. Through the MSET programme, we’ll be working closely with our industry colleagues at Thales UK and the U.K. Royal Navy to instil a proactive approach to through-life support — seamlessly integrating maintenance, innovation and training into operations.

“Not only will this mean platforms and critical capabilities are available when they’re needed most but it will also strengthen the resilience of Royal Navy assets.”

SEA also recently won a contract to supply its trainable decoy launcher, Ancilia, on U.K. Royal Navy surface vessels.

• You can read more details on the Marshall website and SEA website