The United Kingdom has extended its long-term partnering agreement with QinetiQ for five more years under a new $2.1 billion deal to modernize the Ministry of Defence’s test and evaluation infrastructure for next-generation warfare. Announced Tuesday, the contract amendment continues the LTPA through 2033 and includes a separate order worth $223.9 million to support current investment activities.
Under the agreement, QinetiQ will continue to deliver test, trials, training and evaluation services across 16 MoD sites, supporting the development of emerging technologies such as hypersonic weapons, uncrewed systems and directed energy weapons. The British defense tech firm said the partnership also aims to enhance digitalization to reduce testing timelines and speed up field deployment.
“Rigorously tested equipment and the trialing of emerging technologies are key to ensuring our armed forces are using combat-ready capabilities on the frontline,” Defence Secretary John Healey said in a statement. “The contract will help keep Britain secure at home and strong abroad, as we drive forward innovation to bolster our national security and support skilled jobs across the U.K.”
Since the original LTPA contract began in 2003, QinetiQ has supported key moments in U.K. defense, including the country’s first ballistic rocket launch into space, the first high-power laser weapon test against aerial targets and Europe’s first demonstration of manned-unmanned aircraft teaming. The LTPA extension is expected to sustain over 1,200 jobs and a domestic supply chain comprising more than 825 companies.
QinetiQ also secured an extension to its Weapons Sector Research Framework contract with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. As the lead contractor for the $400 million WSRF program, QinetiQ manages research on weapons science and technology, providing Dstl and MoD with access to a network of over 150 industry and academic organizations.