iMAST Alliance – Transforming Royal Navy Training, for Royal Navy people

Maritime June 17, 2020

An industry and academic alliance is gearing up to make the world’s most renowned naval training, even better.

The iMAST Alliance, a collaboration of three leading UK Maritime defence companies Babcock, QinetiQ and Thales together with technology partners Centerprise International, Learning Technologies Group and academic Institutions, University of Portsmouth and University of Strathclyde, has recently signed an Alliance Agreement, bringing together their deep and collective strength of capabilities to deliver a training transformation solution that they believe will modernise and transform Royal Navy training.

The Alliance is further boosted by an Ecosystem of more than 50 niche enterprises, who will seek and explore innovation in learning technologies, delivering opportunities and benefits across the UK supply chain.

The contract will be awarded following a competitive tendering process run by the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and will see the successful bidder partner with their customer to transform Royal Navy training. Down selected to bid in 2019, the iMAST team is finalising its approach with final tender submissions due in summer 2020.

The iMAST vision is simple – working in true partnership with the customer to transform and modernise Royal Navy training in innovative ways that will deliver more, better trained Royal Navy people to the front line quicker.

iMAST lead contractor, Babcock, is currently responsible for around 70% of the outsourced Royal Navy training programme and this new collaborative Alliance squarely underpins its ongoing commitment to the Strategic Partner Programme with the MOD and Cabinet Office, which means iMAST is in an excellent position to provide a solid surety of delivery throughout the transformation period.

Mark Graves Managing Director of iMAST Alliance, commented: “iMAST’s approach is focussed on building on our unique and deep affinity with Royal Navy Training and consolidates the capabilities of a game-changing Alliance that can deliver cutting-edge, flexible and accessible technology to truly modernise the training experience of RN people and ensure they reach the front line quicker and equipped with the skills and competence they need.

“Across our joint team we have strong and collaborative relationships with the armed forces, built over decades and share many of the same values and behaviours, often working as one team to a single joint plan. Therefore, iMAST represents the lowest risk, high reward solution to transition – delivered at pace.”

In addition to the provision of training, the winning bidder will also be responsible for designing, procuring and managing the maintenance and repair of all associated training equipment. This includes support for the delivery and procurement of the interior design, fit out and relocation to a new purpose built facility for submarine training based on the Clyde, helping to create a submarine centre of excellence.

iMAST is committed to the future of Royal Navy training – and is ready for the challenge.