LONDON — The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) has awarded BAE Systems a £135 million contract to maintain and repair the Royal Navy's torpedo inventory under the Torpedo Repair and Maintenance (TRAM) programme. The three-year agreement will run from July 2026 to June 2029, ensuring the continued availability of two of the Royal Navy's primary torpedo systems.
The funding forms part of the UK government's £298 billion Defence Investment Plan, which outlines defence investment over the next four years.
Contract Covers Spearfish and Sting Ray Torpedoes
The TRAM contract includes maintenance and repair support for the Spearfish heavyweight torpedo and the Sting Ray lightweight torpedo, both of which are key elements of the Royal Navy's underwater warfare capability.
The Spearfish heavyweight torpedo is carried by the Royal Navy's Astute-class attack submarines and Vanguard-class ballistic missile submarines. It serves as the fleet's primary heavyweight torpedo.
The Sting Ray lightweight torpedo is designed for anti-submarine warfare and is deployed from submarines, surface warships and maritime patrol aircraft. It is currently used on Type 23 frigates, will also equip the future Type 26 frigates, and is launched from Merlin HM2 and Wildcat helicopters, as well as maritime patrol aircraft including the P-8A Poseidon.
Sole-Source Award Based on Design Authority
The Ministry of Defence awarded the contract to BAE Systems without a competitive tender.
According to a contract award notice published in late July, the sole-source award was approved because BAE Systems is the original Design Authority for both the Spearfish and Sting Ray torpedoes. The MOD stated that no other supplier has the necessary expertise, technical knowledge and infrastructure to provide the required support without creating unacceptable risks to safety and system performance.
Contract Supports More Than 300 UK Jobs
The agreement will support approximately 315 jobs across the United Kingdom.
This includes 150 highly skilled engineering and technician positions within BAE Systems, with around 100 jobs based in Portsmouth and 50 across Edinburgh, Chelmsford and sites near Glasgow. The contract will also sustain an additional 165 jobs throughout the company's UK supply chain.
UK Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard said the agreement supports both national security and the domestic defence industry.
"This is defence spending doing exactly what it should – keeping our country safe while securing 315 skilled jobs and creating new opportunities across our country. We are proud to be backing British jobs, British skills and British industry."
Officials Highlight Operational Importance
Scott Jamieson, Managing Director of BAE Systems' Maritime and Land Defence Solutions, said the company has maintained high levels of torpedo availability for the UK Armed Forces since 2019.
"Since 2019 we have delivered consistently high levels of torpedo availability for the UK Armed Forces, supporting both the successful entry into service of Spearfish and the ongoing operational readiness of Sting Ray. As a trusted partner to UK Defence, we are proud to underpin the nation's Continuous At Sea Deterrent and anti-submarine warfare capability through exceptional reliability, availability and performance."
Rear Admiral Matt Stratton, Royal Navy Director of Naval Acquisition, said the extension ensures uninterrupted torpedo support for the fleet.
"This contract extension ensures the Royal Navy retains a safe, reliable and continuous torpedo support capability. It is a critical enabler of our operational readiness and directly supports the UK's Continuous At Sea Deterrent."
Richard Murray, Director Lethality and Protect at the National Armaments Director Group – Materiel, said the extension secures continued reliable support for the UK's torpedo capability and reflects close cooperation between the Royal Navy, the National Armaments Director Group and industry.
Bridge to the WHITEHEAD2 Programme
Defence officials described the TRAM agreement as a transitional contract that will bridge current torpedo maintenance operations to the long-term WHITEHEAD2 programme.
Scheduled to begin in 2029, WHITEHEAD2 is intended to deliver a modernised and comprehensive torpedo support solution for the Royal Navy while ensuring long-term support for its underwater weapons capability.
Part of Wider UK Naval Investment
The torpedo maintenance agreement follows another major contract awarded to BAE Systems in late July.
On 29–30 July 2026, the UK government awarded the company a £5.9 billion contract for the next phase of work on the Dreadnought-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines. The Dreadnought class is being developed to replace the Royal Navy's Vanguard-class submarines in the early 2030s and will continue supporting the UK's Continuous At Sea Deterrent.
Maintaining Fleet Readiness
The new TRAM agreement will keep the Royal Navy's existing torpedo inventory maintained and serviceable through June 2029, ensuring continued support for submarine, surface fleet and maritime aviation operations while preparations continue for the transition to the WHITEHEAD2 programme.
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