British Army Signs £2 Billion Deal for AI-Powered Combat Training System

UK Ministry of Defence Building

Image: UK MoD Crown Copyright

The Ministry of Defence has awarded a £2 billion contract to build an AI-driven training system for the British Army. The 15-year deal will train up to 60,000 soldiers annually using artificial intelligence, advanced analytics and virtual environments, as per a recent press statement.

Omnia Training, a Raytheon UK-led consortium, secured the contract. The group includes five UK-based companies: Raytheon UK, Capita, Cervus, Rheinmetall UK and Skyral. More than 44 British businesses form part of the supply chain across Wiltshire, Leicestershire and Hampshire.

The contract will support around 400 jobs and create 270 highly skilled roles. It also funds 100 apprenticeships developed with Wiltshire College and the University of Staffordshire, covering data, modelling and project management. Some new positions will require prior military experience and target veterans.

A new Combat Laboratory sits at the centre of the programme. This digital platform combines simulation, live systems and analytics to replicate modern warfare conditions. Commanders and troops will train anywhere, at any time, drawing lessons from the conflict in Ukraine.

The system will support forces ranging from 100-strong teams to formations of 50,000 soldiers. It forms part of the Army’s Collective Training Transformation Programme and sits under the £298 billion Defence Investment Plan.

Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis commented: “Our soldiers serve our nation with courage and exceptional dedication. I am absolutely determined they get the quality training they need to keep us safe.”

Raytheon UK Managing Director James Gray added: “Our UK-based team of innovators, engineers and experts will give soldiers and commanders a new level of training realism.”

The contract supports the Army’s ambition to become ten times more lethal by 2035, strengthening the UK’s contribution to NATO readiness.

Read more on the UK MoD website

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