TKMS ATLAS UK has secured a contract from the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) to develop the Royal Navy’s Next Generation Countermeasure (NGCM) system.
The programme will provide a new torpedo defence capability for current and future British submarines. It will also support future upgrades as underwater threats evolve.
The NGCM contract forms part of the Royal Navy’s wider Underwater Defensive Aids Suite programme. Its main purpose is to protect submarines from torpedoes and other developing underwater threats. The system will use a spiral development approach, allowing its capabilities to be improved over time.
In simple terms, a torpedo countermeasure system helps a submarine respond when it faces a torpedo attack. Such systems can detect or respond to underwater threats and support the submarine’s defensive actions. The new NGCM capability is being designed around the changing nature of underwater warfare.
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TKMS ATLAS UK will lead the programme and bring experience in several underwater technologies. These include hydro-acoustics, sonar, underwater communications, sensors and systems integration. The company also has a long history of research and development in torpedo countermeasures.
Focus On Future Threats
The NGCM system is intended for use across current and future Royal Navy submarine platforms. Its design will focus on long-term operational use rather than a fixed capability. The planned development model allows new functions and upgrades to be introduced during the system’s service life.
The programme also places emphasis on platform availability. This means the countermeasure system is being designed to support submarine operations while allowing future improvements. The approach is intended to reduce the need for major changes when new defensive technologies are introduced.
The contract value has not been disclosed by the companies or the UK MOD. TKMS ATLAS UK said the award builds on its established role in British torpedo countermeasure research and development. The company also linked the programme to future opportunities for growth and exports.
Babcock Joins Programme
TKMS ATLAS UK will work with Babcock International Group on the NGCM programme. Babcock will contribute its experience in countermeasure launcher technology and submarine platform integration. The company also provides long-term support for the UK’s existing submarine fleet.
The partnership brings together different areas of technical expertise. TKMS ATLAS UK will contribute its knowledge of underwater sensing, acoustics and countermeasure development. Babcock will support the launcher and integration elements needed to connect the system with submarine platforms.
Babcock and TKMS ATLAS UK have already worked together on research and development linked to the programme. Babcock said the companies had spent more than three years on joint research before the contract was awarded. Their work is now moving into the delivery phase.
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Royal Navy Submarine Protection
Dr Antoni Mazur, Managing Director of TKMS ATLAS UK, said the company was proud to have been selected for the NGCM programme. He said the contract reflects its long-standing involvement in torpedo countermeasure research for the UK. Mazur also said the programme would create opportunities for future development and exports.
Chris Bamforth, Head of Submarine Combat Systems at the UK MOD, congratulated TKMS ATLAS UK on the contract. He said the MOD looks forward to working with the company to deliver the capability for the Royal Navy’s submarine fleet. His comments underline the programme’s role within the UK’s submarine combat systems plans.
Phil Craig, Managing Director of Marine Programmes at Babcock, said the company was pleased to partner with TKMS ATLAS UK. He said Babcock would contribute its submarine and countermeasure expertise to the programme. Craig also said the partnership builds on the companies’ previous research and development work.
The contract also has an industrial dimension for the UK. TKMS ATLAS UK said the programme will support sovereign defence capability and its wider work with the Royal Navy. It is also expected to contribute to the UK’s ability to develop and maintain specialist underwater defence technologies.
The NGCM programme now moves towards delivery and integration on submarine platforms. Its spiral development model is intended to allow the system to receive progressive capability improvements throughout its lifecycle. The programme will therefore remain focused on adapting Royal Navy submarine defences as underwater threats and technologies continue to change.
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