LONDON — The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has selected TKMS ATLAS UK to develop and supply the Next Generation Countermeasure (NGCM) system for the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet.
The contract value has not been disclosed. However, the programme is expected to support 80 jobs in the UK. The NGCM capability delivery and deployment programme is scheduled to span 2025 to 2032.
NGCM to Protect Current and Future Submarines
NGCM will form part of the Royal Navy’s Underwater Defensive Aids Suite and is designed to protect current and future submarine classes against evolving underwater threats, including modern torpedoes.
TKMS ATLAS UK, a subsidiary of Germany’s TKMS group based in Winfrith, Dorset, will lead the programme.
The company will use a spiral development approach, allowing the system to receive staged upgrades after its initial deployment as new threats emerge. This is intended to keep the capability effective throughout the operational lives of the submarines using it.
Babcock to Support Development and Integration
TKMS ATLAS UK will work with Babcock International Group, which will provide countermeasure launcher technology and submarine integration expertise.
Babcock already provides through-life support for the UK submarine fleet. The two companies have conducted more than three years of joint research and development in preparation for the NGCM programme.
Their design is intended to support submarine availability while making future upgrades easier to integrate.
TKMS ATLAS UK will draw on its UK research into torpedo countermeasures and expertise in hydro-acoustics, sonar, underwater communications, sensor engineering and systems integration.
UK Underwater Defence Capability
Dr Antoni Mazur, managing director of TKMS ATLAS UK, said the company was proud to have been selected and described the contract as reflecting its longstanding role in UK torpedo countermeasure research and development. He said NGCM would strengthen the underwater defence of the UK submarine fleet while creating opportunities for future growth and exports.
Phil Craig, managing director of marine programmes at Babcock, said the company was pleased to partner with TKMS ATLAS UK and combine their complementary skills and expertise to deliver the NGCM capability for the Royal Navy.
Chris Bamforth, head of submarine combat systems at the MoD, congratulated TKMS ATLAS UK on winning the NGCM contract and said the MoD looked forward to working with the company to deliver the capability for the UK submarine fleet.
The programme will now move into delivery, platform integration, testing and progressive capability improvements. TKMS ATLAS UK said the adaptable design will strengthen sovereign UK capability in underwater systems and support security in the North Atlantic.
The contract award was announced on September 17, 2026.
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