Qinetiq inks £259m renewal of UK submarine agreement

Hampshire-based multinational defence technology company Qinetiq Group has renewed its UK maritime strategic capability arrangement (MSCA) with the Submarine Delivery Agency for at least another decade.

Qinetiq says the renewed agreement, which provides design, test, evaluation and assurance services covering hydromechanics, stealth and signatures, structures and maritime life support, is for £259 million, and includes an option for an additional five-year extension.

The MSCA delivers sovereign capabilities that contribute to the assurance of the UK’s ability to design, build and safely operate the Royal Navy’s surface and subsurface fleet, including the UK’s continuous at-sea deterrent.

Nic Anderson, chief executive of Qinetiq’s UK Defence arm, says: “The award of the MSCA contract demonstrates the ongoing commitment of the Ministry of Defence and the Submarine Delivery Agency in working with Qinetiq to deliver and assure critical maritime capability to the UK. We are extremely proud of our highly skilled and dedicated employees who continue to deliver the MSCA in support of the Royal Navy, helping to ensure national security and vital maritime trade.

“The renewal of the MSCA will sustain key skills at our sites and will also reinvigorate our relationships with education and academia, supporting Stem programmes to attract the next generation of naval architects, engineers and other vital roles.”

The Royal Navy’s director of submarines, Simon Asquith, adds: “The MSCA is an essential cornerstone of some critical aspects of Royal Navy capability. These capabilities will help to ensure that the UK can continue to design, build, and operate world beating submarines, both now and into the future.”