Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide

Defence

Serco extends HMAS Watson contract

Serco has been awarded a three-year contract extension to continue providing high-quality simulator-based maritime warfare training and training support services at HMAS Watson, Sydney.

Image courtesy Serco

This extension, awarded to Serco after a successful rebid in 2020 and 10 years of operation and maintenance of the Navy’s Bridge Simulators at HMAS Watson, will take the contract through until 30th June 2026.

Serco Defence Managing Director Clint Thomas AM, CSC, said the contract extension reflects Serco’s successful, long-standing partnership with the Royal Australian Navy and demonstrates their confidence in us to deliver.

Advertisement
ODU RT

“Over the past decade we have taken great pride in the training capability we provide at HMAS Watson to ensure Maritime Warfare Officers graduate with the mission critical skills required for a successful career at sea,” Mr Thomas said.

“We know that our Australian Defence Force must have the best training support available, now and into the future, and Serco has certainly shown that we can deliver – even amidst a global pandemic and environments that are constantly changing.

“Serco delivered significant innovation to the contract during this time, providing adaptable and enhanced training to prepare students for the demanding scenarios they will face in their careers.

“I am incredibly proud of our dedicated team at HMAS Watson and look forward to continuing to build the skills of the Australian Defence Force by providing high-quality and specialist training on behalf of Navy,” Mr Thomas said.

Serco has been training young Maritime Warfare Officers in ship operations, bridge operations and navigation in a simulated war fighting environment since 2012. In addition, Serco has been providing maintenance and engineering design services to the Training Authority Maritime Warfare at HMAS Watson since 2003.

Serco Defence training team members are all former service men and women who have served with the Royal Australian Navy, the Royal New Zealand Navy or the Royal Navy. Their collective experience and enthusiasm for delivering premier training, mentoring and support to Maritime Warfare Officer Course (MWOC) students, and forward-leaning innovation ensures Maritime Warfare Officers graduate with the mission critical skills needed to fight and win at sea.

Advertisement
ODU RT

 

 

 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
BAE Systems to upgrade US facilities

Defence

BAE Systems to upgrade US facilities

26 May 2026

BAE Systems is making a $135 million investment for facility enhancements in Austin, Texas and Hudson, New Hampshire, further strengthening the US defence industrial base.

BOREALIS goes live six months early

Defence Space

BOREALIS goes live six months early

26 May 2026

CGI has supported the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the UK Space Agency (UKSA) to achieve Initial Operating Capability (IOC) for BOREALIS, six months ahead of schedule.

RIAT 2026 cancelled

Aerospace Defence Security Events

RIAT 2026 cancelled

22 May 2026

This year’s Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) will now not be taking place, cancelled due to issues regarding access to the event - at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire - amid concerns over conflict in the Middle East.

ADS appoints Andy Williams Director of ADS Scotland

Aerospace Defence Security Space

ADS appoints Andy Williams Director of ADS Scotland

22 May 2026

ADS, the trade association for the aerospace, defence, security and space industries, has announced the appointment of Andy Williams as Scotland Director.

Advertisement
ODU RT
King’s College London and Cranfield University propose merger

Aerospace Defence Security Space

King’s College London and Cranfield University propose merger

22 May 2026

King’s College London and Cranfield University have announced that the two universities have signed an agreement as the first step towards a merger, with the aim of bringing the two institutions together from August 2027, which will support UK national capability and resilience.

QinetiQ expands testing capacity at MoD Portland Bill

Defence

QinetiQ expands testing capacity at MoD Portland Bill

22 May 2026

QinetiQ has increased the capacity of its vessel testing facility with the addition of a new water tank that will enable larger uncrewed mine hunting vessels’ magnetic fields to be measured and lowered to counter underwater threats.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
Hexagon leaderboard