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
FIA2026 animated banner
Rolls-Royce powers unmanned US Navy MQ-25A on first flight

Defence

Rolls-Royce powers unmanned US Navy MQ-25A on first flight

29 April 2026

Rolls-Royce has powered the first flight of the US Navy MQ-25A Stingray (on 25th April), marking a pivotal programme milestone that moves the unmanned platform closer to a Milestone C decision and aircraft carrier integration testing.

Chess Dynamics signs MoU with CHSnor

Defence

Chess Dynamics signs MoU with CHSnor

29 April 2026

Chess Dynamics has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CHSnor, establishing a framework for collaboration that strengthens in-country support in Norway and reinforces the company’s long-term investment in the Nordic region.

UK MoD-industry exercise to test defence supply chains under war conditions

Defence Events

UK MoD-industry exercise to test defence supply chains under war conditions

29 April 2026

A major Ministry of Defence (MoD) wargame involving five major defence companies will be taking place this week, testing how supply chains would perform under the pressure of sustained, large-scale conflict.

MDP appoints Simon Dobinson as Deputy Chief Constable

Defence Security

MDP appoints Simon Dobinson as Deputy Chief Constable

29 April 2026

Following the appointment of Chief Constable Kier Pritchard in January, the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) has appointed Simon Dobinson as their new Deputy Chief Constable.

Advertisement
ODU RT
BAE Systems

Defence

BAE Systems' NavGuide GPS receiver enters production

29 April 2026

BAE Systems has entered production and begun initial deliveries of its NavGuide GPS receiver.

Teledyne FLIR unveils enhanced Third-Party Payload Integration Program

Defence Events

Teledyne FLIR unveils enhanced Third-Party Payload Integration Program

29 April 2026

Teledyne FLIR Defense unveiled its expanded Third-Party Payload Integration Program at Modern Day Marine 2026, with the certification of Emesent’s Hovermap LiDAR Payload.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner