Airbus‘ defense and space segment has received a $45.5 million contract from the U.K. defense ministry to update the British navy’s warships.
The Maritime Network Evolution contract covers support for 20 warships such as Type 45 destroyers and Queen Elizabeth Class carriers, Airbus said Tuesday.
Airbus will remove obsolete equipment and serial services as well as support platforms’ capacity to choose communication bearers for operations under the contract.
The program will build the Internet Protocol backbone of U.K.’s future maritime architecture and extend the life of the country’s military satellite communications, Airbus added.
Richard Franklin, head of secure communications at Airbus’ defense and space business, said the company has provided maritime communications support to U.K. for more than 10 years and the current program will help the country refresh technologies and maintain infrastructure.