OREANDA-NEWS.  BAE Systems has signed a ten-and-a-half-year contract extension to provide the Royal Navy with combat systems integration services to both in-service and future platforms, including Type 45 destroyers, the new Queen Elizabeth (QE) Class aircraft carriers, and the Type 26 Global Combat Ships.

Following on from the first phase of the Naval Combat Systems Integration Support Services contract (NCSISS), awarded in March 2012, the extension will see BAE Systems’ highly skilled combat systems engineers supporting the key in-service Royal Naval ships. The contract is a collaborative service delivered by BAE Systems, QinetiQ and Defence & Equipment Support (DE&S) and will be delivered out of BAE Systems’ Maritime Integration Support Centre (MISC) facility at Portsdown Technology Park in Portsmouth.

Richard Williams, BAE Systems Combat Systems Director, said: “The award of the NCSISS phase two contract is a vital part of our continuing support to the Royal Navy and secures BAE Systems’ position at the heart of naval combat systems integration for the next decade.

“It will ensure the UK’s highly complex and capable surface ships remain at peak operational performance, able to deploy the latest technology in support of the nation’s requirements long into the future.”

Harriett Baldwin, Minister for Defence Procurement, said: “This contract is great news for the Royal Navy and for jobs in the region. Our commitment to Portsmouth is demonstrated by the Ministry of Defence’s £100 million investment over the next six years. With a rising defence budget we are ensuring that our armed forces have the equipment and support they need to keep the UK safe and secure.”