UK Military Boat Support Industry gets an improvement by Defence Contracts Defence and Security

Multiple new contracts for the maintenance of 1,450 strong fleet of small boats, has been awarded by the Ministry of Defence(MoD) - UK. 

Offshore raiding craft, police launches, 50 metres pontoons and Pacific 24 rigid inflatable boats and inflatables are included in the fleet of boats.

The Five year contract will benefit 6 UK based companies which will provide support for 1,450 boats used by the Royal Marines, Royal Navy, British Army, and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) Police.

Maintenance work related to repair, chartering, upkeep, technical support, furnishing of spares and replacements and defect rectification will fall under the contracts.

A constant amount of work for the UK’s marine support is generated through the award of these contracts by the MoD, assisting to maintain engineering and technical expertise in this sector. A wide range of interest attracted from across the marine industry by this competition, and is another illustration of the MoD’s undertaking to comb best cost for money from the commercial market, says Philip Dunne –The Ministry for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology.

Small boats form a significant component of the UK’s military effect, patrolling in the UK and globally. Right from policing the UK’s naval bases to counter-piracy operations off Africa to training new entries into the Royal Navy, small boats occupies a special place in all areas of maritime, says the team leader for commercially supported shipping – Alistair Hughes, MoD’s Defence Equipment & Support organisation.

The new contracts will engage the team and industry in 18 months of extreme activities to strengthen the continued assistance of the various craft that make up the small boat fleet and to identify the best deal for the armed forces.