QinetiQ supports Royal Navy electronic warfare contract
QinetiQ is working as part of the BEQ consortium alongside Babcock and Elbit Systems UK. (Photo: Elbit Systems UK)
QinetiQ is supporting RN efforts to enhance the EW capabilities of its ships.
QinetiQ will play a key role in delivering a £100 million ($136 million) next-generation EW system for the UK RN.
The company is working with Babcock and Elbit Systems UK in the BEQ consortium, which is working to deliver the RN’s Maritime Electronic Warfare Systems Integrated Capability (MEWSIC).
Central to the work is a suite of novel sensors set to improve the RN’s situational awareness.
The company said its sensing technology, combat systems integration and digitised test and evaluation experience would help achieve delivery of the project.
The BEQ consortium announced it had been awarded the MEWSIC contract in November 2021.
MEWSIC is part of the RN’s broader £500 million Maritime Electronics Warfare Programme (MEWP) covering the Daring-class Type 45 destroyers, Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers, and future City-class Type 26 and Inspiration-class Type 31 frigates.
The team will also provide in-service support throughout the 13-year contract.
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Navy’s MUSV programme could lay the USV procurement blueprint for NATO allies]()
US Navy’s MUSV programme could lay the USV procurement blueprint for NATO allies
The programme’s structure as a marketplace will allow multiple companies to compete for ongoing procurements; an approach which could be replicated across the Atlantic.
-
![UK Royal Navy shifts focus from warships to system-led warfare]()
UK Royal Navy shifts focus from warships to system-led warfare
With a revised Defence Investment Plan on the way ahead of the upcoming NATO Summit on 7-8 July, the UK government has begun to reveal more details of how its future naval fleet could look.
-
![Funding for the future US Navy Trump-class battleship sparks controversy in Congress]()
Funding for the future US Navy Trump-class battleship sparks controversy in Congress
Lawmakers question the US Navy’s proposed $2 billion investment in the Trump-class battleship as concerns over cost, technology maturity and operational relevance fuel growing bipartisan scrutiny on Capitol Hill.
-
![Germany sinks F126 frigate programme in favour of cheaper MEKO A-200]()
Germany sinks F126 frigate programme in favour of cheaper MEKO A-200
On 24 June 2026, the German Ministry of Defence announced it was cancelling the F126 frigate programme in favour of procuring eight MEKO A-200 DEU frigates.
