Cohort’s SEA secures £135m contract for Royal Navy’s electronic warfare countermeasures

Cohort, the Independent Technology Group, has announced a significant milestone with its subsidiary, Systems Engineering and Assessment Ltd (SEA), being awarded a contract worth at least £135 million by the UK’s Ministry of Defence. This contract is for the provision of Electronic Warfare Countermeasures Increment 1a (EWCM 1a) to the Royal Navy, marking a pivotal step in bolstering the naval forces’ defense capabilities against contemporary threats.

The contract centers around the supply and support of SEA’s Trainable Decoy Launcher System, Ancilia, which incorporates cutting-edge technology and hardware from another Cohort business, Chess Dynamics Ltd. The Ancilia system is designed to offer effective and rapid protection for the Royal Navy’s surface ships against modern anti-ship threats, utilizing sophisticated systems and tactics. The implementation of Ancilia across various Royal Navy vessels underscores the Ministry of Defence’s commitment to securing top-tier defensive technologies to safeguard its maritime assets.

Work on this substantial contract is set to commence immediately, with expectations to extend over more than ten years. This duration could further expand, depending on additional options that may amplify both the contract’s value and its delivery timeline, contingent on future decisions by the customer.

This contract is anticipated to materially enhance the earnings of the Cohort Group, alongside other recent order victories. Andy Thomis, Chief Executive of Cohort, expressed the significance of this achievement, highlighting the contract as a testament to the confidence in Ancilia as a fully UK-designed and built solution. Thomis also pointed to the potential for encouraging export prospects and the positive impact on employment, estimating that the project will sustain 150 skilled and professional jobs in North Devon, with potential for further increase in response to export success.

This contract represents a significant advancement in the Royal Navy’s electronic warfare capabilities, positioning Ancilia as a key asset in the modern naval warfare arena. The partnership between the Ministry of Defence, SEA, and Cohort exemplifies the strategic importance of investing in advanced defensive technologies to counter emerging maritime threats. The contract not only bolsters the Royal Navy’s operational capabilities but also contributes to the UK’s defense industry’s growth and innovation, reflecting a strategic investment in national security and economic prosperity.