Royal Navy selects partners for training and learning transformation

The British Royal Navy has awarded a contract to a consortium of consulting firms to help modernise and rationalise its training and education facilities. Led by Capita, the contract will also see Raytheon UK, Elbit Systems UK and Fujitsu work to transform the Royal Navy’s training analysis, design, delivery, assurance, and management and support services.

Interest in joining the Royal Navy has surged during the pandemic. In 2020, applications to join the Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary were up by around one third on 2019 figures – 34% for officers and 28% who want to become ratings or join the ranks of the commandos – something which saw the launch of a third naval base to begin turning civilians into sailors.

As the Navy looks to modernise its learning and training regime for future recruits, the organisation has announced a new partnership with a number of professional services firms. The contract will be led by Capita, but also includes Raytheon UK, Elbit Systems UK, and Fujitsu, and aims at ensuring the Royal Navy offers best-in-class training to all its service personnel. It will accelerate the use of new technology, processes and learning solutions, aligning with the Royal Navy’s transformation agenda and positioning it to thrive in the 21st century.

The 12 year agreement is worth up to £2 billion, with in excess of £1 billion of that going to Capita, and an initial contract value of £200 million going to Raytheon UK, and £123 million for Elbit Systems UK. Fujitsu has not released details of its involvement at present, but that would place its part of the contract at roughly around £600 million.

The news comes after Capita recently announced it has been awarded a two-year contract extension with the Ministry of Defence. The Capita-led consortium, called Fisher Taining, was one of three contenders selected by the Ministry of Defence for the final stages of the Selborne competition.

Jon Lewis, Capita’s Chief Executive officer, said, “The award is a measure of the confidence and trust the Royal Navy and the Ministry of Defence have in Capita’s expertise in the transformation and digitally enabled delivery of critical defence services. It also reflects the strong relationship Capita has with the Government as a strategic supplier. We look forward to working with the consortium of world-class partners that Capita has brought together and the Royal Navy to transform, modernise and create better outcomes for the training service.”

Formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, Raytheon Technologies Corporation is an aerospace and defence company that employs 195,000 people, including 1,700 across the UK, enabling the company to operate at the edge of known science as they imagine and deliver solutions that push the boundaries in quantum physics, electric propulsion, directed energy, hypersonics, avionics and cyber security. It will play a key role in modernising and transforming the Royal Navy’s training analysis, design, delivery, assurance, and management/support services, helping to make the UK Armed Forces more agile and adaptable.

“We are committed to investing in the UK and helping to keep the country secure and our Armed Forces equipped with the best affordable sovereign solutions, creating highly skilled jobs across the UK,” Jeff Lewis, Chief Executive of Raytheon UK said. “We look forward to delivering these solutions to the Royal Navy over the coming years.”

Elbit Systems UK employs over 500 people at 10 sites across the UK. It’s role in the contract will see it provide new training technologies that will improve Defence Operational Training Capability (Maritime) (DOTC(M)), while facilitating availability and efficiency of legacy capabilities.

Elbit Systems UK CEO Martin Fausset commented, "The Program will be a pathfinder for the Royal Navy’s transformation agenda, with the introduction of enhanced training capabilities at the forefront of personnel achieving their potential and arriving at the front line quicker. We are proud to be a part of the team to deliver next-generation training capabilities to the Royal Navy, following on the success of the company’s provision of advanced training capabilities to the British Army and the Royal Air Force."