UK MoD signs deal for training support

Smit International has been awarded a seven-year contract to support and supply a range safety and aircrew training vessels to the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), the Royal Navy announced on 6 February.

Under the £39 million contract the company will provide safety patrol vessels at military firing ranges with river and coastal boundaries, and marine support to tri-service aircrew training across the MoD.

The contract will initially run for five years until March 2023, with an option to extend.

Smit provide support for helicopter training, sea survival drills, target-towing, fast-attack craft simulations and range safety. The company will operate a total of five medium and nine smaller fast patrol type craft for the work.

The nine fast patrol craft to be deployed for range safety have a length of 12 metres and a maximum speed of 28 knots. The boats can accommodate four passengers and a crew of two. 

To support aircrew training, Smit International will operate four workboats with a length of 27 metres and a maximum speed of 19 knots. The vessel can accommodate 12 passengers plus four instructors and six crew members.

For passenger support, the company will deploy one vessel measuring 27 metres with a maximum speed of 20 knots. The craft can carry 36 passengers plus four instructors and a crew of six.