Babcock International Group

This week, Harry Holt, our CEO (Designate), took part in an exclusive breakfast briefing hosted by the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). During the discussion, Harry made the case for industry to be recognised as a critical sixth domain of defence, underpinning operational readiness, resilience and operational effectiveness. He explored what this means for partnerships between government and industry, future force design and defence reform, making the case for industrial capability to be treated as an integral part of a modern fighting force. Drawing on lessons from recent conflicts, Harry highlighted that the ability to sustain, regenerate and scale capability is becoming a decisive factor in modern warfare. Through-life support and sustainment are fundamental to maintaining military readiness. Designing and building platforms is only the first step, what matters just as much is the ability to keep them available, effective and ready to deploy when needed. As the Ministry of Defence's second-largest supplier, Babcock is proud to play an important role in supporting the UK's defence capability, helping ensure the Armed Forces have the equipment, expertise and support they need to protect the nation and respond to emerging threats. Image credit: RUSI / Chris Jones

We're pleased to have signed a Strategic Cooperation Agreement with LIG Defence & Aerospace, strengthening our international defence industrial collaboration and creating new opportunities to deliver advanced defence capabilities to customers around the world. Building on the Memorandum of Understanding signed in November 2024, this agreement brings together Babcock's expertise in engineering, support and mission-critical operations with LIG D&A's leading technology and manufacturing capabilities. Together, we will explore opportunities across a number of areas, including: • Integration of LIG D&A into Babcock's global supply chain • Development of an AH-140 frigate concept featuring LIG equipment • Launchers and Precision Guided Munitions development • MRO and through-life upgrade solutions • Robotics, autonomy and unmanned systems This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to innovation, operational excellence and delivering world-class solutions that meet the evolving needs of defence and security customers globally. Babcock already has a strong in country presence where we support Republic of Korea Navy programmes and maintain longstanding partnerships across Korean industry. This agreement marks an exciting next step in deepening those relationships and pursuing opportunities in key international markets. https://ow.ly/NQWw50ZrpsC

A great discussion hosted by Donna Sinnick, Babcock’s Chief Transformation Officer and Shirley Cooper OBE, the UK Government’s Small Business Crown Representative, at Farnborough International Airshow 2026 this week as we brought together SMEs, industry leaders, procurement specialists and defence stakeholders for our SME Breakfast Networking Session. Building on the insights from the Babcock and University of Exeter Next Line of Defence research and the commitments set out in the SME Engagement Charter, the session focused on a shared challenge: how we strengthen SME participation within the defence and security sector and unlock greater innovation across the supply chain. The conversation reinforced a clear message from the research, SMEs are critical to delivering the innovation, agility and resilience that the UK's defence sector depends on. While progress is being made, there is broad agreement that further action is needed to remove barriers to engagement, accelerate innovation adoption and create clearer pathways for SMEs to scale and succeed. Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed their perspectives. The quality of discussion demonstrated the sector's collective commitment to building a stronger, more collaborative defence innovation ecosystem. ADS Group Ltd

We’re pleased to announce a new Memorandum of Understanding with British defence SME Supacat, strengthening our collaboration on a proposed solution for the British Army's Light Mobility Vehicle (LMV) programme. Building on the successful delivery of the Jackal 3 programme, our teams will explore how our combined expertise can enhance Babcock’s General Logistics Vehicle (GLV) family - a versatile range developed on the proven Toyota Land Cruiser LC70 platform. Together, we are committed to delivering a practical, safe and innovative capability for the British Army, supported by a Best of British supply chain that strengthens sovereign capability, sustains highly skilled jobs, and reinforces the UK's defence industrial base. This collaboration also reflects our ongoing commitment to working closely with SMEs through our SME Engagement Charter, bringing together the best of British innovation, engineering and manufacturing. Read more on our website: https://ow.ly/Kqi950Zrj5H

We’re committed to supporting the next generation of engineers by creating opportunities, sharing expertise and inspiring future talent. That's why we were proud to support IMechE Formula Student 2026, which recently brought together 3,000 students from universities around the world at Silverstone. From hosting our first ever skills panel to supporting the University of Plymouth's first concept car project, our volunteers shared career insights, engineering expertise and real-world experience with aspiring engineers exploring their future careers. Congratulations to Edith Cowan University on being crowned overall champions and Oxford Brookes University for winning the AI category. Events like the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)'s Formula Student are vital for developing future engineering talent, and we're proud to play our part in helping the next generation turn ambition into achievement.

Today at the Farnborough International Airshow, we launched Engineering the Future of Defence, a major new skills study in collaboration with the Department of Education, University of Oxford's SKOPE (Centre on Skills, Knowledge and Organisational Performance). As defence technologies evolve at unprecedented pace, from AI and autonomous systems to cyber security and advanced manufacturing, ensuring the UK has the engineering and technical talent needed to support future defence capability has never been more important. This initiative will bring together experts from government, academia and industry to examine how engineering education and workforce development can adapt to meet the needs of a rapidly changing defence environment. Through research, interviews and a nationwide survey of STEM talent, the programme will help inform evidence-based recommendations to strengthen the UK's long-term engineering capability. The launch builds on Babcock's continued investment in skills and emerging talent, including welcoming more than 1,600 graduates and apprentices during 2025/26 and the recent recognition of our apprenticeship and talent programmes through a series of national awards. As Sir Nick Hine, our Chief Growth Officer said: "If we want to maintain sovereign capability and national resilience, we must invest in the people who will design, build and support the systems of tomorrow." A huge thank you to our colleagues at Oxford University's SKOPE, and to the educators, policymakers and industry leaders who are helping shape this important conversation. https://ow.ly/bIAo50ZqJLi

Today at Farnborough International Airshow, we’ve signed a three-way agreement with ACUA Ocean Technologies and Frankenburg Technologies advancing counter Uncrewed Aerial Systems solutions in the marine domain. As threats from low-cost UAS continue to evolve, the need for effective and adaptable counter-drone capabilities is becoming increasingly important across the defence and security landscape. We believe it’s partnerships like this that unlock real innovation and by working together, we'll create integrated solutions to combat that threat. The agreement brings together three distinct elements: Babcock’s multi-domain launcher system with Frankenburg’s missile systems, integrated into ACUA’s uncrewed surface vessels (USV). This collaboration underpins our existing defence expertise and supports the UK’s vision for a hybrid navy where Babcock is developing the technologies and capability to underpin this next-generation autonomous capability. Sir Nick Hine, our Chief Growth Officer said: “We’re excited to partner with innovative companies to develop an integrated approach that directly addresses some of the biggest challenges our customers face in today’s defence landscape. “As a trusted systems integrator, collaborations like this will help protect critical national assets and infrastructure from attritable one-way attack drones.” Read more: https://ow.ly/ty7I50Zq6V8

This month, colleagues from our Marine Programmes team in Devonport visited Indonesia, meeting with government and industry partners to review progress across key maritime programmes and explore future opportunities for collaboration. Discussions with Indonesia's Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries focused on accelerating delivery of the first 50 vessels under a wider programme expected to exceed 1,000 vessels. The team also met with the Indonesian Ministry of Defence to discuss ambitions under the Maritime Programme Partnership, including opportunities to collaborate on Inshore Patrol Vessels, Maritime Domain Awareness capabilities and autonomous maritime solutions for the Indonesian Navy. During a visit to PT PAL, Indonesia's national shipbuilding prime contractor, the team reviewed progress on the first two Merah Putih frigates based on Babcock's Arrowhead 140 design. PT PAL has also recently acquired two additional frigate design licences, supporting Indonesia's long-term sovereign shipbuilding capability and reinforcing the strategic partnership between the two organisations. The visit highlighted the growing strength of the UK-Indonesia relationship, and the role maritime and defence partnerships can play in supporting economic growth, skills development and national resilience.

Heading to Farnborough International Airshow? Join us at Chalet C325 on Tuesday and Wednesday for thought-provoking discussions on the future of defence. From tackling skills shortages to accelerating SME innovation – it’s your chance to be part of the conversation on some of the defence sector's biggest opportunities and challenges. 📅 Tuesday 21 July, 11:30-12:15 – Engineering the Future Join us and industry leaders for a panel exploring how we attract, develop and retain the skills needed to support the future of aerospace and defence. In conjunction with the University of Oxford SKOPE, (Centre on Skills, Knowledge and Organisational Performance), we'll also be launching a major new initiative to address the widening gap between engineering education and the sector’s evolving demands. 📅 Wednesday 22 July, 09:30-10:15 – Accelerating SME growth and innovation in defence Following insights from our Next Line of Defence research with the University of Exeter and our continued commitment through the SME Charter, this exclusive breakfast session will bring together SMEs, industry leaders and key stakeholders to explore how we can strengthen SME participation, drive innovation and create more accessible supply chain opportunities. Spaces for each session are limited, register your interest today: https://ow.ly/VlSR50ZoPft #FIA2026 #DefenceInnovation #SME #Skills

Calling all future engineers, apprentices and graduates! Join us at Farnborough International Airshow 2026 for Pioneers of Tomorrow, a STEM-focused day designed to inspire the next generation of aerospace and defence leaders. As Exclusive Partner of Pioneers of Tomorrow, we’ll be sharing how we’re investing in the people, skills and opportunities needed to help shape the future of defence. Join us for our Graduate & Apprentice Panel and Q&A. 📅 Friday 24 July | 🕛10:00-10:45 and 11:00-11:45 |📍 Chalet C325 You’ll hear directly from our apprentices and graduates as they share their personal career journeys, along with practical advice, insights and top tips for those considering their next steps. Visitors will also have the opportunity to take part in interactive activities and connect with our careers team to learn more about opportunities at Babcock. Register your interest: https://ow.ly/a6xx50Zoi2E   #FIA2026 #Skills #Apprenticeships #Graduates