Fat CATS contract for Qinetiq

Qinetiq has today signed a contract with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to supply a Combined Aerial Target Service (CATS) for the UK's armed forces. Worth up to £308m over 20 years, this is Qinetiq's largest competed sale to date.

Qinetiq was confirmed by the MOD as preferred bidder for this air target service contract in March 2006 after open competition.

Through the contract, Qinetiq will provide a service that meets all of the UK MOD's aerial target requirements worldwide including ground-based air defence training, aerial target services for the Royal Navy, and an air-to-air service for the RAF.

CATS combines in a single contract all of the MOD's existing target arrangements. This includes the Mirach service currently delivered by Qinetiq at Aberporth in South Wales as part of the 25-year Long Term Partnering Agreement (LTPA) through which it runs the MOD's 22 principle test and evaluation ranges.