A MAJOR defence contractor has been awarded a government contract worth £89m which is set to support new jobs in Dorset.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) granted BAE Systems the contract to enhance front-line connectivity for military personnel, linking small reconnaissance drones, combat vehicles, fighter jets, aircraft carriers and military commands.
BAE Systems, which has bases in Christchurch and Bovington, will directly support 60 new jobs for its Dorset operations – predominantly based in the Grange Road Business Park.
The new five-year contract will see BAE Systems lead a consortium of partners, including Kellogg, Brown and Root (KBR), PA Consulting and L3 Harris, to design and manufacture a state-of-the-art battlefield internet capability to UK forces.
Given the name Trinity, the network will link reconnaissance drones, combat vehicles and military commands.
David Armstrong, group managing director at BAE Systems’ digital intelligence business, said: “In an increasingly complex and fast-paced threat landscape, Trinity will empower the UK Armed Forces with a better view of what is happening, enabling them to make swift, informed decisions when and where it matters most.
“By providing this advantage to front-line decision makers, Trinity reinforces our commitment to equipping the British military with the right tools to stay ahead in an ever-evolving battlespace.”
The £89m will be dedicated to the research and development phase of the programme, with Trinity due to be delivered from December 2025.
There will be the option to extend the contract for a total of nine years, to cover the development throughout its life and ensure the technical design continues to evolve to meet UK Armed Forces requirements.
Minister for the Armed Forces, James Heappey MP, added: “In this continually evolving, multi-domain environment it is vital that our personnel have access to world-leading communications capabilities while on operations.
“We remain committed to working closely with the best of British industry as they support our endeavour to better connect with our allies and their assets in theatre.”
BAE Systems, which employs 93,100 people in around 40 countries, also has sites in Weymouth and Dorchester.
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