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Combined Ariel Target Service

I am pleased to announce that QinetiQ have been awarded the contract to operate the subsonic target element of the Combined Aerial Target Service (CATS) programme worth £364.7 million. This contract marks a significant step forward towards the delivery of the CATS project. In line with Defence Industrial Strategy it will provide a rationalised supplier base for MOD and will produce savings in the order of 10 per cent. of the total cost over the 20 year life of the contract. It will also mean we have a single service provider for subsonic aerial targets. This contract is a Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement within which QinetiQ will supply and operate subsonic aerial targets for the armed forces. Supersonic aerial targets will be procured by the Ministry of Defence from the US because they are the only country who currently produces supersonic targets that are available to the UK.