Portsmouth-based naval support company Fleet Support Limited (FSL) has enhanced its position as a centre for advanced warship upgrade and support through its role as a key member of a BAE Systems led consortium selected as preferred contractor by the UK Ministry of Defence for a new communications upgrade on front-line RN ships.

Project SHAMAN is £140M ISTAR programme to provide the RN with the next generation of Communications Electronic Support Measures (CESM) capability.

Being procured under the UK MoD’s ‘Smart Acquisition’ initiative, it encompasses equipment development, supply, installation, training and through life support over 20+ years thereby establishing the South Hampshire area as the focal point for C4ISTAR Fleet Time support activity ready for the arrival in service of new platforms.

FSL will carry out installation and through life support and will be actively involved in the Advanced Demonstration Phase.

FSL Managing Director Ian Booth commented: “Capturing elements of the SHAMAN programme is part of our overall strategy of providing a comprehensive waterfront support service. This is particularly important as new platforms, requiring innovative, value-for-money support solutions start to be base ported at Portsmouth. We will also use SHAMAN as a springboard to becoming a C4ISTAR installation and support Centre of Excellence. “