UK Defence Journal

By Lisa West

1 February 2025

Source: https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/royal-navy-warships-to-get-285m-upgrades/

The Royal Navy is set to benefit from £285 million in combat system upgrades through a new contract with BAE Systems, designed to enhance the fleet’s ability to track, analyse, and respond to threats in combat, according to a press release from the Ministry of Defence.

The programme, known as RECODE (Real-time Combat System Open Data Enablers), will support more than 200 jobs across the UK while modernising systems on key warships, including Type 23 frigates, Type 45 destroyers, Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, and Type 26 frigates.

Maria Eagle, Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, said: “This significant investment in our industry is another example of how our Government is making defence an engine for growth. We are strengthening the UK’s defences while supporting growth, with hundreds of high-skilled jobs, to help deliver on our Plan for Change.”

The project will sustain highly skilled roles at BAE Systems sites in Filton, Dorchester, New Malden, Frimley, and Portsmouth, while also creating new investment opportunities for Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and high-tech suppliers across the UK. 

Minister Eagle added: “By working with British industry, we’re ensuring our Royal Navy has the advanced technology it needs while strengthening our domestic defence industrial base.”

The combat management system (CMS) is critical for Royal Navy operators, integrating sensors and weapons for optimal decision-making. The upgrades will improve key functions such as situation awareness, threat evaluation, navigation, and weapon direction and control. 

BAE Systems has supported these systems for over 25 years, and the new contract will further enhance their effectiveness.

The announcement comes shortly after the Royal Navy tracked the Russian spy ship Yantar in British waters, showcasing the importance of maintaining cutting-edge capabilities. According to the press release, “upgrades such as RECODE will further improve the Royal Navy’s crucial deterrence capabilities”.

This initiative is part of the government’s forthcoming Defence Industrial Strategy, which aligns national security with economic growth under the Plan for Change. 

By ensuring advanced technological upgrades, the government aims to maintain maritime superiority while bolstering the UK’s defence industrial base.