Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Industry and academic alliance aims at transforming Royal Navy training

Defence

Industry and academic alliance aims at transforming Royal Navy training

The iMAST Alliance - a collaboration of three UK Maritime defence companies Babcock, QinetiQ and Thales, together with technology partners Centerprise International, Learning Technologies Group and academic Institutions, University of Portsmouth and University of Strathclyde - has recently signed an Alliance Agreement, bringing together their collective capabilities, to modernise and transform Royal Navy training.

Image courtesy Babcock

The Alliance is further boosted by an Ecosystem of more than 50 niche enterprises, who will seek and explore innovation in learning technologies, delivering opportunities and benefits across the UK supply chain.

The contract will be awarded following a competitive tendering process run by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and will see the successful bidder partner with their customer to transform Royal Navy training. Down selected to bid in 2019, the iMAST team is finalising its approach with final tender submissions due in summer 2020.

Advertisement
Tritax 300x250

The iMAST vision involves working in partnership with the MoD to transform and modernise Royal Navy training in innovative ways that will deliver more, better trained Royal Navy people to the frontline quicker.

The iMAST lead contractor, Babcock, is currently responsible for around 70% of the outsourced Royal Navy training programme and this new collaborative Alliance squarely underpins its ongoing commitment to the Strategic Partner Programme with the MOD and Cabinet Office, which means iMAST is in an excellent position to provide a solid surety of delivery throughout the transformation period.

Mark Graves Managing Director of iMAST Alliance: “iMAST’s approach is focussed on building on our unique and deep affinity with Royal Navy Training and consolidates the capabilities of a game-changing Alliance that can deliver cutting-edge, flexible and accessible technology to truly modernise the training experience of RN people and ensure they reach the front line quicker and equipped with the skills and competence they need.

Advertisement
ODU RT

“Across our joint team we have strong and collaborative relationships with the armed forces, built over decades and share many of the same values and behaviours, often working as one team to a single joint plan. Therefore, iMAST represents the lowest risk, high reward solution to transition – delivered at pace.”

In addition to the provision of training, the winning bidder will also be responsible for designing, procuring and managing the maintenance and repair of all associated training equipment. This includes support for the delivery and procurement of the interior design, fit out and relocation to a new purpose built facility for submarine training based on the Clyde, helping to create a submarine centre of excellence.

 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
Ajax reaches IOC milestone

Defence

Ajax reaches IOC milestone

7 November 2025

The Ajax armoured fighting vehicle for the British Army has declared Initial Operating Capability (IOC), a key delivery milestone that means it can now deploy a squadron on operations.

BAE Systems and Turkish Aerospace to collaborate on UAS development

Defence

BAE Systems and Turkish Aerospace to collaborate on UAS development

7 November 2025

BAE Systems and Turkish Aerospace signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) yesterday, to establish a strategic alliance to explore opportunities to collaborate on the development of uncrewed air systems (UAS).

Boeing to display range of defence solutions at Dubai Airshow

Defence Security Events

Boeing to display range of defence solutions at Dubai Airshow

7 November 2025

Boeing will be bringing its defence and services solutions to the Dubai Airshow later this month, with the F-15 Eagle, the CH-47 Chinook, KC-46 Pegasus, AH-64 Apache and the C-17 Globemaster on static display.

BMT and Teledyne Marine to advance maritime autonomy programmes

Defence Security

BMT and Teledyne Marine to advance maritime autonomy programmes

6 November 2025

BMT has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Teledyne Marine Vehicles group which includes Iceland-based Teledyne Gavia and North Falmouth, MA based Teledyne Webb Research, laying the foundation for strategic alignment and close collaboration on future projects in the maritime autonomy space.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle
BAE Systems’ CCMCS approved by USAF

Defence

BAE Systems’ CCMCS approved by USAF

6 November 2025

BAE Systems’ Compass Call Mission Crew Simulator (CCMCS) for the EA-37B electronic attack mission system has been approved for training by the US Air Force (USAF) and delivered to support interim fielding.

Recent events highlight need for more resilient UK space systems

Defence Space

Recent events highlight need for more resilient UK space systems

6 November 2025

At the Global MilSatCom conference in London today, Nik Smith, Director of Space at Lockheed Martin UK, told delegates that the UK should accelerate investment in sovereign, resilient space systems to safeguard national security and drive economic growth.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle