UK MoD awards BAE Systems £135m torpedo repair and maintenance contract

Published Aug 4, 10:01 AM UTC

The UK Ministry of Defence awarded BAE Systems a £135 million Torpedo Repair and Maintenance contract, running from July 2026 to June 2029. The contract covers both torpedo weapons in Royal Navy service, used by submarines, surface warships, and maritime patrol aircraft. It will sustain 315 jobs, including 150 highly skilled roles at BAE Systems sites in Portsmouth, Edinburgh, Chelmsford, and near Glasgow, with 165 more supported through the supply chain. The MoD states the contract is critical for defending UK waters, protecting trade routes, and maintaining the nuclear deterrent. It serves as a bridge to the longer-term WHITEHEAD2 programme, which aims to modernize torpedo support from 2029. Officials including Minister Luke Pollard and Rear Admiral Matt Stratton emphasized the contract's role in operational readiness and economic growth.