UK signs maintenance deal for 2,200 military boats

The UK defense ministry has authorized a new £177 million (approx. $218.4m) deal for the maintenance of some 2,200 boats used across the British military.

The Boats In-Service Support (BISS) agreement, negotiated by Defence Equipment and Support, the procurement arm of the MOD, enables spares, repairs and maintenance for 115 different classes of boats.

Boats maintained by the contracts provide essential support to the defense of the UK’s security and interests, including craft which support the continuous at-sea deterrent and the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers.

The majority of the work will be performed by BAE Systems and Babcock who received £112 million and £49 million contracts, respectively.

BAE Systems will maintain Royal Navy, Royal Fleet Auxiliary, British Army, Royal Marines, and MOD Police boats, while Babcock is to support boats based overseas and training craft.

Griffon Hoverwork will support boats used by the Royal Marines, Holyhead Marine will ensure the continued availability of boats essential to UK submarine operations, and Marine Specialised Technology will support diving operations and to maintain inflatable craft.

All contracts under BISS will run until March 2026.

“Our armed forces rely on having the finest kit available and this multi-million-pound contract ensures the thousands of vessels used across the entire British military will be maintained and repaired to the exceptionally high levels demanded by our service men and women,” UK defense minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan said.