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
ODU RT

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
PTC rectangle

“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
FIA2026 animated banner
BAE Systems partners with Scale AI on agentic AI for defence

Defence

BAE Systems partners with Scale AI on agentic AI for defence

27 March 2026

BAE Systems and Scale AI have announced a strategic relationship agreement to accelerate the development and fielding of advanced artificial intelligence capabilities in support of the US Department of War’s (DoW) high-stakes mission environments and operational platforms.

Getac launches CommandCore

Defence Security

Getac launches CommandCore

27 March 2026

Getac has announced the launch of its CommandCore rugged drone control solution.

DE&S awards five providers nine contracts to support 3,000 military and police boats

Defence Security

DE&S awards five providers nine contracts to support 3,000 military and police boats

27 March 2026

Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), part of the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) National Armaments Director Group, has awarded £283.5 million worth of contracts to maintain and support approximately 3,000 boats across the UK Armed Forces and MoD Police, creating and safeguarding over 100 skilled jobs across England, Scotland and Wales.

JFD appoints Adrian Capner as Managing Director in Australia

Defence

JFD appoints Adrian Capner as Managing Director in Australia

27 March 2026

JFD Global has appointed Adrian Capner as its new Managing Director of JFD Australia, who will take up his new role on 1st April 2026.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle
Military medics trial AI for the battlefield

Defence

Military medics trial AI for the battlefield

26 March 2026

Scientists from the UK and the US have tested and explored what it would take for medics to delegate high-stakes decisions to AI on the battlefield.

UK and US seek solutions to counter underwater drone threat

Defence

UK and US seek solutions to counter underwater drone threat

26 March 2026

The US Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) is seeking technology to counter unmanned underwater vehicle threats, for which UK companies can apply, with solutions assessed by jHub, for potential UK defence use.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
Gulfstream banner