The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded a £40m ($54m) contract to Ultra Maritime for the supply of sonobuoys to equip the Royal Navy’s Merlin Maritime Patrol Helicopter.
Ultra Maritime stated that the contract will enhance the UK’s undersea surveillance and deterrence capabilities as British waters face “increasing threat” from foreign actors.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
The contract covers the design, development, engineering and manufacturing of these sensors, which are used to detect, track and deter submarines and other underwater threats as part of the UK’s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations.
The Merlin Helicopter Force, based at RNAS Culdrose in Cornwall, conducts ASW operations and regularly deploys Merlin Mk2 aircraft in support of UK maritime security and wider defence commitments.
Flights from 814 Naval Air Squadron are regularly assigned to Royal Navy frigates, Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships and the forward operating base at Prestwick, Scotland.
The 824 Naval Air Squadron also remains on standby to respond to potential submarine threats around the UK.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalDataRNAS Culdrose commanding officer captain James Hall said: “Our anti-submarine capability is essential to protect Royal Navy submarines and the UK’s nuclear deterrent. The capability offered using sonobuoys forms an essential part of the toolkit used to identify, track and deter submarine threats.
“It is not an exaggeration to say that Merlin Helicopter Force – combining its aircraft, its sensors and equipment, and the crews’ extensive tactical training – is a world leader in anti-submarine warfare.”
As part of its commitment under the contract, Ultra Maritime has expanded its London manufacturing site, creating additional skilled jobs, and contributing to the industrial base supporting both the Royal Navy and allied partners.
The company is also working with the Ministry of Defence on developing miniaturised sonobuoys for deployment on uncrewed air systems to broaden future undersea surveillance and assist in advancing autonomous anti-submarine warfare technologies.
In April last year, Ultra Maritime joined forces with the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde on research into new ceramic materials designed to strengthen ASW and torpedo defence solutions.
