The MoD has signed a contract with Qinetiq to supply high tech military target system for the next 20-years.

Under the contract Qinetiq will provide subsonic aerial targets for the MoD over the next two decades, helping ensure UK Armed Forces are trained and able to deal with a range of 21st century aerial threats.

Letting this contract marks a significant step forward towards the delivery of the CATS project. In line with the Defence Industrial Strategy it will prove a rationalised supplier base for the MoD and will produce savings in the order of 10% of the total cost over the 20 year life of the contract.

It is critical to Army's operational capability that Armed Forces test, evaluate and train operators for anti-air warfare systems, including the Royal Navy Sea Dart missile, Army High Velocity Missiles and RAF short and medium range air-to-air missiles.

In line with Defence Industrial Strategy this contract, worth over pound300M, will secure the long term support from industry for the provision of this key service. It also ensures that future plans for target usage are taken into account. Qinetiq have selected a major UK manufacturer, Meggitt Defence Systems, for three of the four target types they will be using.

The subsonic element of CATS will be provided under a Contractor Owned and Operated Service (COOS) contract, which has been developed as a form of Public Private Partnership.