Defence

UK MoD awards Seawolf support contracts

By Niall O'Keeffe

BAE Systems Insyte and MBDA have won MoD contracts to maintain the Seawolf air defence missile systems that equip Royal Navy Type 22 and Type 23 frigates.

The contracts, announced by minister for defence equipment support Baroness Ann Taylor, form part of the Swiss (Seawolf In-Service Support) project intended to increase Seawolf's front-line availability by 25% over the next nine years. BAE Systems Insyte's contract is valued at £141 million ($282 million) and MBDA's at £177 million.

The two companies will share responsibility for the overall performance of the Seawolf system, as measured by successful in-service firings. MBDA is responsible for managing the processing of Seawolf missiles before ship installation via a subcontract placed on DSDA Gosport, part of the MoD.

Ownership of MBDA is split between BAE Systems (37.5%), EADS (37.5%) and Finmeccanica (25%).