Thales to Deliver High Performance Mission and Combat Systems to Royal Navy for Type 31 Frigate Programme
Thales has successfully completed Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) for both the Mission System and the Combat System on the Royal Navy’s new Type 31 Inspiration-class frigates – marking major milestones in one of the UK’s most significant naval programmes. Working as part of an integrated international team, and in close partnership with Babcock and the Royal Navy, Thales has now completed all core factory-based activity for the programme – further reinforcing its role as a trusted partner in the delivery of complex naval systems for the UK. Thales’s Combat Management System (CMS), TACTICOS, functions as the operational heart of UK’s Type 31 frigates. It will be the central command and decision-making part of these frigates’ combat systems. Its function and performance – supporting sensor control, picture compilation, situation assessment, action support and weapon control – are critical to the operational effectiveness of the naval vessel. The Type 31 programme underscores Thales’s long-standing commitment to support the Royal Navy with world-leading maritime technologies, while strengthening UK and European defence capability and industrial resilience.
Paul Watson, Arrowhead Managing Director at Babcock said: “The successful completion of the Mission and Combat Systems FATs marks another significant step forward for the Type 31 programme and reflects the strength of our collaboration with Thales and our wider industry partners. Together, we are delivering a world-class capability for the Royal Navy and creating a strong foundation for the future of the Inspiration Class frigates.”
Andy Laing, Managing Director, Above Water Systems UK, Thales, added: “Working closely with our Royal Navy and Babcock colleagues, we are delighted to have successfully completed this critical stage in the development of the Royal Navy’s new Type 31 frigates. It represents another demonstration of Thales’s proven ability to deliver integrated naval mission systems to the highest standards.”
The Mission System FATs were completed at the end of April 2025. Delivered to a high standard by Thales’s international team, in close collaboration with industry partners, this achievement showcases the quality, openness and technical expertise that have defined Thales’s approach to the Type 31 delivery – earning praise from the Royal Navy. The Combat System FATs followed at the end of June 2025. Built around Thales’s latest version of its TACTICOS Combat Management System – delivered by Thales in the Netherlands – it includes the latest software release that enables Type 31’s operational capabilities, reinforcing TACTICOS’s position as a leading CMS for next-generation naval platforms. With all Factory Acceptance Tests now complete, the programme will move onto land-based testing at the Shore Integration Facility, before being installed on board the HMS Venturer, first of the five Type 31 Inspiration-class frigates, the construction of which is underway at Babcock’s Rosyth facility.
Thales in the UK is proud to design and manufacture world class, battle proven technology, equipment and training solutions for the British Army and export customers around the world. It has been operating for over 140 years with partners across the supply chain to ensure the operational effectiveness of customers. Building on this heritage, it is committed to nurturing a highly skilled workforce and supply chain, through the development and delivery of UK sovereign products. Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services addresses several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion. The Group invests more than €4 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum and cloud technologies. Thales has more than 83,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2024, the Group generated sales of €20.6 billion.
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