Defence and training support provider MASS, a subsidiary of Cohort plc, has been awarded a two-year extension on its Joint Command and Staff Training (JCAST) contract for UK Strategic Command.
The contract, valued at over £17.5 million, will commence in July 2025, marking over 25 years of JCAST training support.
Through JCAST, MASS provides comprehensive operational-level training support, including exercise design, delivery, and analysis for the Integrated Warfare Centre and other UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) divisions. The contract also includes pre-employment training for UK and international staff officers and a pan-defence data management service.
The training ensures that UK and allied personnel are fully prepared for a range of operational deployments, from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to non-combatant evacuations and high-intensity combat operations.
MASS is integrating advanced synthetic environment technology into JCAST, ensuring personnel experience a realistic and immersive training environment.
Keith Norton, Managing Director at MASS, highlighted the importance of modernised training, stating:
“Modern military operations no longer take place in isolation but within a dynamic human terrain where information—and disinformation—move rapidly across the internet and social media. Training must reflect this reality. By integrating the latest technology into our exercises, the JCAST contract will ensure personnel benefit from a ‘train as you will operate’ experience.”
The Integrated Warfare Centre praised MASS’ evolving training solutions. Air Vice-Marshal Simon Strasdin CBE MA, Director of the Integrated Warfare Centre, stated:
“MASS’ training solutions are constantly improving to meet the ever-changing needs of the UK MOD. The Integrated Warfare Centre is looking forward to continuing our partnership to deliver a fully immersive training experience and equip our team with the best preparation possible.”
MASS has continually evolved its approach to training, leveraging cutting-edge simulation and synthetic technology to prepare personnel for the challenges of modern warfare.
