Defence

Marshall wins Thales contract to produce Royal Navy sonar modules

Posted 28 April 2025

Marshall has received a long-term contract from Thales UK to manufacture, maintain and support key components of anti-submarine sonar arrays that provide a critical edge for the UK’s Royal Navy.

Above: A Royal Navy submarine at Lyngan Fjord in Northern Norway.
Courtesy MoD / LPhot Johnson / © Crown copyright

Under the contract, which will run from 2025 through 2039, Marshall will become a leading supplier for Sonar 2076 and Sonar 2087. Sonar 2076 is equipped on Astute class submarines in addition to the next-generation Dreadnought class, while Sonar 2087 is in use on existing Type 23 frigates and will also be equipped on their upcoming replacement, the Type 26, including variants for export.

Production and in-service support will be undertaken by Marshall’s Advanced Manufacturing Solutions (formerly Aerostructures) business line in Cambridge, UK. The business also assembles auxiliary fuel tanks for the Boeing P-8 Poseidon patrol aircraft—another core element of the UK’s anti-submarine warfare and maritime protection capability.

Steven Lockley, Managing Director, Underwater Systems, Thales UK, said: “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.

Above: HMS Westminster, Reykjavik, Iceland.
Courtesy MoD / PO(Phot) Jim Gibson / © Crown copyright

“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.”

The new contract builds on Marshall’s well-established legacy of supporting Thales UK on manufacturing and systems integration programmes for the UK Ministry of Defence spanning the land, air and maritime domains. While production of sonar array modules will make full use of existing in-house capabilities and expertise, Marshall and Thales will also invest in specialised tooling, electrical assembly and testing equipment and facilities on its Cambridge site.

Gareth Williams, Chief Executive Officer, Engineering Businesses, Marshall said: “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.”