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
PTC rectangle

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
FIA2026 animated banner
HMS Active completes float off feat

Defence Events

HMS Active completes float off feat

30 March 2026

Building on the momentum of February's dual milestone event at Babcock’s Rosyth site, the Type 31 frigate programme has reached another significant stage, with HMS Active completing the float-off process.

Lockheed Martin joins MTC as Tier 1 member

Defence

Lockheed Martin joins MTC as Tier 1 member

30 March 2026

Lockheed Martin has joined the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) as a Tier 1 member which will see it collaborate on core research, capabilities and investments and play a key role in managing projects that address some of the pressing challenges being faced by defence industry supply chains.

RFA Lyme Bay gets mine hunting tech upgrade

Defence

RFA Lyme Bay gets mine hunting tech upgrade

30 March 2026

The Royal Navy is stepping up its mine hunting capabilities with new cutting-edge uncrewed equipment being added to RFA Lyme Bay in the coming days.

British Army retire Land Rover fleet

Defence

British Army retire Land Rover fleet

30 March 2026

British soldiers will use a new fleet of thousands of modern vehicles, following the start of the retirement of the iconic Land Rover fleet earlier this month, after 70 years of service.

Advertisement
PTC rectangle
James Heappey joins NAD Board

Defence

James Heappey joins NAD Board

30 March 2026

Former British Minister of State for the Armed Forces from 2020 to 2024 The Rt Hon Major James Heappey has joined the board of Swedish defence tech startup Nordic Air Defence (NAD), developers of the K100XR drone interceptor for civilian and military use.

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.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
Gulfstream banner