The T31 general purpose frigate programme will provide the UK Government with a fleet of five ships, at an average production cost of £250 million per ship.

“Following a comprehensive competitive process, T31, a capable, adaptable and technology-enabled global frigate will be the Royal Navy’s newest class of warships, with the first ship scheduled in the water in 2023. At its height, the programme will maximise a workforce of around 1250 highly- skilled roles in multiple locations throughout the UK, with around 150 new technical apprenticeships likely to be developed. The work is expected to support an additional 1250 roles within the wider UK supply chain.

Building on our global successes Thales is expanding its capabilities in mission systems delivery in the UK. This will generate new jobs and technical skills in Crawley, West Sussex where the new team has been established. A new naval combat management centre has also been developed to provide a space for customers, employees and end-users to train, test and see how our solutions deliver operational benefits and to continuously gain customer feedback,”  said Victor Chavez, Chief Executive of Thales in the UK.

TACTICOS technology is used on board more than 160 ships (from small patrol craft to full-size frigates and destroyers) operated by 20 navies.

Thales is announcing the opening of a naval combat management centre of excellence in Crawley this will enable us to develop the TACTICOS naval combat management system. The Royal Navy will join the global community of 25 navies utilising the Thales Tacticos combat management system.

Maritime Business World