The UK Ministry of Defense (MOD) has awarded BAE Systems a £135 million contract to maintain and repair the Royal Navy’s Spearfish and Sting Ray torpedoes to support the availability of the weapons.
The three-year Torpedo Repair and Maintenance (TRAM) contract, running from July 2026 to June 2029, will provide continued support for the Royal Navy’s submarine-launched and air-launched torpedo capabilities. The Spearfish heavy torpedo is operated by Royal Navy submarines, while the Sting Ray lightweight torpedo is used by submarines, surface ships and maritime patrol aircraft for anti-submarine warfare missions.
Awarded to BAE Systems, the Torpedo Repair and Maintenance (TRAM) contract directly supports 150 highly skilled engineering and technician jobs at the company. This includes 100 in Portsmouth and 50 more across Edinburgh, Chelmsford and near Glasgow, while a further 165 jobs are supported through BAE’s UK supply chain.
The contract is intended to ensure the Royal Navy retains a reliable and operationally ready torpedo capability while the UK develops a longer-term support solution through the WHITEHEAD2 program, scheduled to begin from 2029.
The MOD said the investment forms part of the UK government’s wider Defence Investment Plan, which includes £298 billion in defense spending over four years. The government highlighted the contract as part of efforts to use defense procurement to support domestic engineering skills and economic growth.
"This contract extension ensures the Royal Navy retains a safe, reliable and continuous torpedo support capability. It is a critical enabler of our operational readiness and directly supports the UK’s Continuous At Sea Deterrent," Rear Admiral Matt Stratton, Royal Navy Director Naval Acquisition, said.
"This contract extension secures continued, reliable support to the UK’s torpedo capability. Bringing together the Navy, National Armaments Director Group and industry as a single team has delivered real, tangible results for UK defence," Richard Murray, Director Lethality and Protect, at the National Armaments Director Group – Materiel, stated.
BAE Systems has supported the Royal Navy’s torpedo capability since 2019, delivering maintenance and availability services for both the Spearfish and Sting Ray systems.
"Since 2019 we have delivered consistently high levels of torpedo availability for the UK Armed Forces, supporting both the successful entry into service of Spearfish and the ongoing operational readiness of Sting Ray," Scott Jamieson, Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Maritime and Land Defence Solutions, commented.
The contract will help maintain the Royal Navy’s undersea warfare capabilities, including its ability to conduct anti-submarine warfare operations and support the UK’s nuclear deterrent mission.