Training contract for Ascent

Ascent, the joint venture between

headquartered defence and support services company

and

, has signed a contract for the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS).

The 25-year programme will make Ascent the MoD’s Training System Partner (TSP) to provide comprehensive training to all UK military air crew for the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Army Air Corps. This will range from fast jet pilots and weapons systems operators to rotary and multi-engine pilots and all rear crew disciplines.

The total programme is estimated to be worth up to £6bn over the 25 years with initial contract value around £600m to Ascent. Additional capabilities will be added incrementally over the life of the programme.

Ascent will start by carrying out a training needs analysis and providing a Ground Based Training Environment (GBTE) for the Hawk 128 Advanced Jet Trainer at RAF Valley. This will include sub-contracting VT Support Services to project manage the construction of new facilities, while VT Communications will also provide related ICT infrastructure.

VT Group chief executive Paul Lester said: 'UKMFTS is a major programme for VT and extremely important for UK military air crew. It also consolidates our position as one of the MoD's leading partners in defence support services.'