The Ministry of Defence, through its International Guns, Missiles and Rockets Project Team, has announced its intention to award a contract for Post Design Services (PDS) to Leonardo for the Gun System Automation Mk8 (GSA8), which is installed on the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigate fleet.
This five-year contract is estimated at £14 million.
According to the contract notice, “Only the OEM has the drawings, information, technical expertise and tools to continue to support this vital piece of equipment and to manage complicated issues of obsolescence as it nears the end of its in-service life.”
Leonardo’s status as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the GSA8 system, which has been in service since 1988, makes it the sole provider able to address the technical requirements for maintaining and updating this essential weapon system.
The MOD also noted that “In accordance with regulation 4 of The Defence and Security Public Contracts (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019,” the contract falls under the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations, allowing it to be awarded directly to Leonardo without prior publication in the UK e-notification service.
The decision is justified under regulation 16(1)(a)(ii), specifying “technical reasons” as a key factor, given Leonardo’s exclusive access to the necessary technical expertise.
Curious, will Mk8 be retained as war reserve stock or for training purposes after T-23 retirement, or simply be disgarded as obsolete equipment? 🤔
It will still be on the T45….
I have to say it had me scratching my head wondering about what happens with the Mk 8 on the T45. But this is the GSA 8 and it’s GSA 9 on the T45 which I think is looked after by Babcock. Which kind of makes sense as I’d certainly hope the systems connected to the gun are more modern than those on a T23.
Where’s GB or MS when we need their wisdom 🤔
Babcock support the Mk8 gun for GSA9, the electro-optics support is subcontracted to the OEM – Ultra.
Hi honestly cannot understand why they have not got a plan inplace to completely remove the MK8 from service by around 2030 to be honest, there would be inyear savings that would be considerable considering the T45 will be running around for at least a decade after the last T23 goes and really what capabilities worth having will a few antique Mk8s give. May as well just replace them on the T45 with a 57mm bofors as part of standard refit and if needs be ( lack of money and savings for something else) just remove them from that last… Read more »
It would be an upgrade over the MK8 for the Type 45, as I don’t think the MK 8 has any air defense capability as installed on the Type 45? The 57mm would be one direction to go, which would give commonality with the upcoming Type 31s. Valid arguments could also be made for the 5 inch gun, which would give commonality with the Type 26s. I suppose it would depend on the anticipated threat, the 57mm would do better in shorter range drone swarm engagements, while the 5 inch gun could reach father for larger drone or other… Read more »
Personally I think there should be a plan to see the Mk8 out of service as soon as is practice…replace it with a 57mm, if it’s deck mounted the refit would not be hugely expensive and the RN could remove the entire supply and support chains for en entire medium gun type, which would provide in year efficiency savings.
I don’t disagree with you at all, my only niggle is that for 40 odd years we only operated 1 main gun on Surface Warships, which is logistical efficiency. Who knows what MOD will do but unless they have a Eureka moment and decide to fit the 5” mk45 it makes sense.