UK Armed Forces Protected by £88 Million Technology Contract

The UK Armed Forces has signed a new contract to safeguard personnel - including the Royal Navy, the British Army and the Royal Air Force - when they are serving. Worth £88 million, the contract is said to make room for wearable chemical detection sensors, which are described as being some of the best in the world. The contract is being led by Strategic Command and a collaborative team, and it’s a key step forward in terms of personnel safety.

Revolutionising Battlefield Safety for UK Armed Forces

The UK Armed Forces is focusing its attention on personal chemical agent sensors that individuals can wear, which are used to track the environment of wearers. The device is a first for the UK Armed Forces and it enables the detection of chemical threats, through both aerosols and vapours. By working with a wide range of dispersing chemical threats, the sensors will play a big part in ensuring the safety and protection of personnel. As challenges change and chemicals become widely used, the UK Armed Forces are having to keep on top of evolving threats.

Smiths Detection will play a key role in creating these chemical sensors for the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and three different products will be developed. Set to be in operation by 2028, the sensors will function as a personal wearable sensor, a standoff sensor for fixed locations, and a sensor for portable hazard assessments. This variety of sensors will ensure that the UK Armed Forces have the ability to look at chemical threats in a variety of ways.

The Benefits of UK Armed Forces Technology Advancements

Along with the obvious safety benefits to personnel, there are a number of other benefits that come from technology advancements in the UK Armed Forces, especially when it comes to adapting to emerging threats. As new dangers arise, the sensors can be updated and improved, continually widening their scope. This helps the UK Armed Forces to stay ahead of possible threats.

It’s also advantageous to the UK economy, as Smiths Detection will require the help of hundreds of professionals, creating a variety of new jobs in the local area. As a company, Smiths Detection is committed to using the services and components of UK suppliers, which boosts the manufacturing industry as a whole.

The UK’s Counter-Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Capabilities

The growing use of innovative chemical detection sensors is a major step towards boosting the UK’s Counter-Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear abilities. As part of the MOD’s Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) area - along with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) - the advancement highlights the importance of advancing technology in the UK Armed Forces. This is important both now, but also in regards to future defence.