The Ministry of Defence has begun market engagement for a contract worth up to GBP 50 million to support and expand synthetic training systems used by UK forces.
The proposed Gladiator and Spartan Core Systems and Services contract would support the MOD Gladiator distributed training system while also enabling the Royal Navy’s developing SPARTAN programme for maritime collective training.
Gladiator is a Ministry of Defence-owned synthetic training capability designed to deliver high-fidelity team and collective training for military units. By linking simulators to a central hub, the system allows personnel to train together in complex operational scenarios without the limitations associated with live exercises, such as restricted airspace, environmental constraints or high operating costs.
The system has primarily been used by the Royal Air Force but is designed to support multi-domain training with partner nations. Its distributed structure enables large-scale exercises that would be difficult to conduct in real-world conditions.
Under the SPARTAN programme, the Royal Navy aims to build on Gladiator’s technology to create a distributed synthetic training hub for surface fleet operations. The hub would allow naval units to train collectively using simulated scenarios and synthetic tracks delivered via tactical data links, with onboard systems eventually integrated into operational ships.
The future contract would cover support and sustainment of the existing system, platform integration and capability development, interoperability across defence forces, and the incorporation of Royal Navy SPARTAN requirements.
If the programme proceeds, the contract is expected to run from 2028 until at least 2032, with a potential extension to 2034.
