13/01/2006

£100M combat training system for Navy

Defence Procurement Minister Lord Drayson has announced a £100 million contract for advanced computerised training systems for the Royal Navy.

The Maritime Composite Training System will help the Royal Navy maximise the combat effectiveness of existing major surface warships, as well as future Type 45 destroyers.

Lord Drayson said that the £100 million contract has been placed with BAE Systems Insyte, in order to equip new facilities in Devonport Naval Base and the shore base HMS Collingwood near Portsmouth.

The system will be used to train sailors serving on Invincible class carriers, Type 42 destroyers, Type 23 frigates and HM Ships Ocean, Albion and Bulwark.

It is hoped that the new facilities will be ready to train Type 45 crew later this decade.

Lord Drayson said: "We've contracted for a very sophisticated system, which can replicate the combat command systems used across most of our major surface warships, including the aircraft carriers, as well as the new Type 45 destroyers now under construction.

"This investment means men and women who 'fight the ship' in computerised command centres will be better prepared for combat and emergencies."

(KMcA/GB)








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