Thales completes critical testing milestones for Mission and Combat Systems on Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigates

Thales completes critical testing milestones for Mission and Combat Systems on Royal Navy’s Type 31 frigates

(IN BRIEF) Thales has completed Factory Acceptance Tests for both the Mission System and the Combat System on the Royal Navy’s new Type 31 Inspiration-class frigates, representing major milestones in the programme. The Combat Management System, TACTICOS, developed by Thales in the Netherlands, will serve as the operational core of the frigates, enabling key functions from sensor control to weapon management. Following successful Mission System FATs in April 2025 and Combat System FATs in June 2025, the programme now moves to land-based integration at the Shore Integration Facility before installation on HMS Venturer, the first of five frigates being built at Babcock’s Rosyth yard. Executives from Babcock and Thales highlighted the achievement as proof of strong collaboration and technological excellence, positioning the Type 31 as a world-class capability that enhances the Royal Navy’s fleet while supporting UK and European defence resilience.

(PRESS RELEASE) LA DÉFENSE, 6-Sep-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Thales has successfully completed the Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs) for both the Mission System and the Combat System of the Royal Navy’s new Type 31 Inspiration-class frigates, marking two significant milestones in one of the UK’s largest naval shipbuilding programmes.

Delivered in partnership with Babcock and the Royal Navy, and with contributions from Thales’s international teams, the FATs signal the conclusion of all factory-based activity for the programme. The achievement highlights Thales’s role as a trusted partner in providing complex, integrated naval systems for the UK’s defence capability.

At the core of the new ships lies Thales’s TACTICOS Combat Management System (CMS), developed in the Netherlands, which will serve as the operational heart of the Type 31 fleet. Acting as the central command and decision-making system, TACTICOS enables sensor control, picture compilation, situation assessment, action support, and weapon control—functions that are critical to the operational effectiveness of the frigates.

The Mission System FATs were completed in April 2025, reflecting strong collaboration between Thales and industry partners. This was followed by the Combat System FATs in June 2025, incorporating the latest TACTICOS software release that unlocks the advanced operational capabilities of the new frigates. With these milestones achieved, the programme will now move forward to land-based integration at the Shore Integration Facility, before the systems are installed on HMS Venturer, the first of the five Type 31 frigates currently under construction at Babcock’s Rosyth facility.

Industry leaders welcomed the progress
Paul Watson, Arrowhead Managing Director at Babcock, commented: “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 Inspiration-class frigates.”

Andy Laing, Managing Director, Above Water Systems UK at 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 Type 31 programme underscores Thales’s long-standing partnership with the Royal Navy, while also strengthening UK and European defence industrial resilience through the delivery of advanced maritime technologies.

About Thales

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.

About Thales in the UK

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 our partners across the supply chain to ensure the operational effectiveness of our 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.

Leveraging Thales’ global expertise and portfolio, it helps our customers to modernise their capabilities and deter adversaries of today and tomorrow.

Media Contact:

Media Relations
UK Press Contact Naval Adrian Rondel
+44 7971 414052
adrian.rondel@uk.thalesgroup.com

SOURCE: Thales