Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Serco to continue providing HMAS Watson training services

Defence

Serco to continue providing HMAS Watson training services

Serco has been awarded a contract to continue providing high-quality simulator-based maritime warfare training and training support services on behalf of the Royal Australian Navy at HMAS Watson, Sydney.

Above: (left to right) CDR Simon Gregg RAN, Head of Command and Navigation, CAPT Heath Robertson CSC, ADC, RAN, Director Training Authority Maritime, Serco Asia Pacific CEO Peter Welling and Serco Watson Contracts Director Terry Skinsley.
Courtesy Serco

Through the operation and maintenance of the Navy’s Bridge Simulators, Serco has been training young Maritime Warfare Officers in ship operations, bridge operations and navigation in a simulated war fighting environment since 2012. Serco has also been providing maintenance and engineering design services to the Training Authority Maritime Warfare at Watson since 2003.

Advertisement
ODU RT

The new two-and-a-half-year contract, won by Serco after a competitive tender process, also has three, one-year extension options, which if exercised will take the contract through until 2026. The value of the contract is AUD $48.2m.

Serco Defence Managing Director Clint Thomas AM, CSC, said Serco’s proven track record of delivering these highquality services for more than eight years has resulted in a strong partnership with Navy.

“We have a deep understanding of Navy’s training requirements, program challenges and future training developments, and our solutions are designed to deliver the best possible outcomes and prepare Navy personnel for the demanding scenarios they will face in their careers.”

“This new contract demonstrates the confidence Navy has in Serco to deliver significant innovation and continuous improvements to the training provided, that ultimately allows the Australian Defence Force’s Maritime Community to fight and win at sea,” Mr Thomas said.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Serco Defence HMAS Watson 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 for a successful career at sea.


 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
Navantia UK debuts autonomous vessel design

Defence Events

Navantia UK debuts autonomous vessel design

19 May 2026

At the Combined Naval Event in Farnborough today, Navantia UK unveiled its large autonomous surface vessel - LASV75 - as an example of the hi-tech capabilities of its four yards, which are undergoing large-scale modernisation.

QinetiQ to test British Army’s remote-controlled artillery systems

Defence

QinetiQ to test British Army’s remote-controlled artillery systems

19 May 2026

QinetiQ has been awarded a contract from the National Armaments Director (NAD) Group to put the British Army’s newly contracted Remote Controlled Howitzer 155 (RCH155) next generation artillery system through rigorous tests to ensure it is safe to use on operations.

Hexagon releases NCSIMUL upgrade

Aerospace Defence

Hexagon releases NCSIMUL upgrade

19 May 2026

Hexagon’s Production Software Division has announced the latest release of NCSIMUL, strengthening its integrated approach to NC programme verification, simulation and optimisation with a new Selective Simulation capability.

Apache support drones get £10m boost

Defence

Apache support drones get £10m boost

18 May 2026

Fully autonomous drones which will accompany the British Army’s Apache helicopters are receiving a £10 million investment as Project NYX reaches a new milestone.

Advertisement
ODU RT
RAF Typhoons deploying APKWS in Middle East

Defence

RAF Typhoons deploying APKWS in Middle East

18 May 2026

A new Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) is being fitted to RAF Typhoons on operations in the Middle East, providing a low-cost anti-drone weapon to precisely destroy targets for a fraction of the price of missiles currently used.

BAE Systems delivers US Space Force missile warning sensor system

Defence Space

BAE Systems delivers US Space Force missile warning sensor system

18 May 2026

BAE Systems has delivered the sensor subassembly and sensor system controller components for the Next Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared Polar (NGP) programme, providing advanced missile warning, technical intelligence and battlespace characterisation mission capabilities, for the US Space Force.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner