Defence technology provider QinetiQ has been awarded a £25m ($33m) contract to provide virtual training environment for the UK Royal Navy.
The five-year agreement aims to enhance warfighting readiness by offering realistic mission simulations and threat scenarios.
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According to the company, the Maritime Command and Staff Trainer (MCAST) is capable of simulating the deployment of a task force, including the actions of adversary and neutral forces.
This enables users to train in managing operations, equipping them with the necessary skills for readiness in combat situations.
QinetiQ Group subsidiary Inzpire has been tasked with developing training scenarios for MCAST. The company will employ advanced simulation technology to develop and provide comprehensive and lifelike training exercises.
Additionally, QinetiQ will oversee a comprehensive suite of tools aimed at capturing data throughout the planning, execution, and evaluation stages of exercises.
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By GlobalDataThis data collection is intended to refine and enhance future training scenarios.
QinetiQ UK defence chief executive Will Blamey said: “Our innovative, digital-led approach to training supports the requirements of the Strategic Defence Review to increase warfighting readiness. MCAST will ensure that Royal Navy personnel are put through their paces in an environment which reflects the complex, multi-domain and multi-national battlespace of future warfare.”
This contract represents an expansion of QinetiQ’s ongoing relationship with the Royal Navy.
The company currently provides synthetic operational training services as part of the Platform Enabled Training Capability.
In June 2025, QinetiQ provided live and virtual operational training to both the Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group and NATO allies.
Royal Navy fleet operational standards and training commander commodore Andy Ingham said: “QinetiQ and the Royal Navy have worked closely together over many years on a multitude of projects helping FOST deliver World Class Training. MCAST is the exciting next step on our training innovation journey, a dedicated synthetic training facility, designed to prepare us to face both known and developing threats.”
