QinetiQ has secured a three-year contract with Defence Digital, valued at up to £150 million, to support the development of the next generation of tactical military communications.
The contract, which is part of the Land Environment Tactical Communications and Information Systems (LETacCIS) programme, aims to enhance the British Army’s ability to make more informed and timely decisions on the front line.
The initial contract award is £39 million, with the option to extend for up to two additional years.
As part of the contract, QinetiQ will lead Team Advance, a consortium that includes Accenture, BMT, Eviden, and Roke. Around 100 experts from Team Advance will join the Ministry of Defence’s Delivery Team, providing specialist knowledge in areas such as programme management, cost engineering, network security, and safety engineering.
This new partnership builds on the previous BATCIS Private Sector Support (BPSS) contract, under which QinetiQ and its partners delivered services including programme management, engineering trials, and training.
James Willis, Chief Executive UK Intelligence at QinetiQ, said: “In this digital era, reliable and robust communications are the bedrock of an operationally effective fighting force. As a trusted partner to the UK military, we are delighted to continue to support development and delivery of this vitally important programme that enables our Armed Forces to defend our nation, safely and securely.”
Brigadier Jez Sharpe of Defence Digital also expressed confidence in the partnership, stating: “We are delighted to be able to award this contract to Team Advance who, we are confident, will deliver the expertise we need to take land tactical communications to the next stage. We look forward to an enduring partnership as we bring capability to the hands of our front line troops.”
The LETacCIS programme aims to provide the British Army with a cutting-edge communications solution, advancing capabilities on the battlefield by integrating modern digital systems. The contract represents a significant step forward in delivering secure, efficient, and future-proof communications for UK forces operating in high-stakes environments.
We are spending an awful lot of money on what I would consider “command and control” stuff. All we need now is something to command and control.