Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Plans for PTP redevelopment revealed

Defence

Plans for PTP redevelopment revealed

QinetiQ and the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) are set to begin a £23 million redevelopment project at Portsdown Technology Park (PTP) that will create up to 100 jobs.

Above: Artist's impression of the aerial view.
Courtesy QinetiQ

Continuing its partnership with the Royal Navy, QinetiQ is investing over £18m in a brand new building which will increase the site’s capacity and transform it into a UK Centre of Excellence for Maritime Mission Systems. The investment is supported by a further £5m Local Growth Fund investment from the Solent LEP.

Advertisement
Gulfstream RT

The funding will unlock innovation-led growth through the creation of a combat system engineering academy, engaging more businesses in knowledge transfer and developing links to wider Higher Education institutes.

An Innovation and Collaboration hub, sponsored by the Solent LEP as part of the redevelopment, will offer opportunities for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to attract the best local talent and develop Maritime Mission System offerings for UK and International markets.

Above: Artist's impression of the rear view.
Courtesy QinetiQ

Steve Fitz-Gerald, QinetiQ Managing Director, Maritime, Land & Weapons, said: “This investment delivers a step change in the Solent Region’s ability to export to the world’s marine and maritime defence markets, with a range of capabilities unparalleled in the UK. It builds on our commitment to modernising the UK’s test and evaluation capability, ensuring it continues to support the safety and operational advantage of our Armed Forces.”

Gary Jeffries, Chairman of the Solent LEP added: “The reputation of the Solent region’s marine and maritime sector is world class. This investment by the LEP with QinetiQ will consolidate the sector’s pre-eminent position and create new opportunities for SMEs, who will be able to upskill their workforce and engage the supply chains of large companies delivering major projects.”

Advertisement
DSEI 2025

Cllr Donna Jones, Leader of Portsmouth City Council, said: "It is fantastic news that QinetiQ and the Royal Navy have made this commitment to Portsmouth. The investment from QinetiQ and the Solent LEP will have huge benefits for the city, creating jobs and helping local businesses expand their markets. This will help cement the Solent region's position as a hub for expertise in the marine and maritime sector.”

News of the investment follows the announcement in September 2017 that QinetiQ is to provide combat systems expertise for the Royal Navy’s future Type 26 Global Combat Ships at Portsdown Technology Park. The £8m deal with the Royal Navy is an amendment to the existing Naval Combat System Integration Support Services (NCSISS) contract, first signed in 2012 and renewed at £110m for a further 11 years in 2016.

Steve Fitz-Gerald added: “September’s contract shows that the site’s unique capabilities are equally valuable to warships both in-service and in development.”

Under the NCSISS contract, QinetiQ develops and de-risks Royal Navy mission systems and infrastructure through integration and testing at Portsdown. Current site activities sustain around 280 jobs operating in collaboration with the Royal Navy, Defence Equipment & Support and BAE Systems.

For over 45 years, Portsdown Technology Park (PTP) has integrated and tested complex combat and communications equipment and software for all Royal Navy warships prior to their deployment at sea. Recent examples of technology that has been tested and integrated with existing equipment using facilities at PTP include BAE Systems’ Artisan surveillance radar and MBDA’s Sea Ceptor Air Defence System.  

 

Advertisement
Cranfield University
BAE Systems

Defence

BAE Systems' Leadership Academy opens in Barrow

14 July 2025

BAE Systems has opened a new Leadership Academy in Barrow to deliver world-class educational facilities for designing and building Royal Navy submarines.

Adarga awarded expanded Defence Support AI contract

Defence

Adarga awarded expanded Defence Support AI contract

14 July 2025

Adarga has been awarded a significantly expanded AI contract by Defence Support, part of the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD).

BlueBear demos autonomous containment tech for RAF

Defence

BlueBear demos autonomous containment tech for RAF

14 July 2025

New safety containment technology for autonomous Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) has been successfully proven in a demonstration as part of the Royal Air Force (RAF) Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) Project CURBER.

Lane Electronics to showcase defence connectivity at MSPO

Aerospace Defence Events

Lane Electronics to showcase defence connectivity at MSPO

11 July 2025

Lane Electronics, a franchised distributor for many of the industry’s major electrical, electronic and optical connector manufacturers, will be Exhibiting at MSPO 2025 (2nd–5th September 2025, Kielce, Poland), where they will be displaying the latest connector innovations and demonstrating their UK based assembling and value add services.

Advertisement
DSEI 2025
Flitetec secures two distribution agreements

Aerospace Defence Events

Flitetec secures two distribution agreements

11 July 2025

Amersham based aerospace business Flitetec, has confirmed two major deals that it shook on at the recent Paris Air Show.

GKN Aerospace secures Typhoon transparencies contract

Defence

GKN Aerospace secures Typhoon transparencies contract

10 July 2025

GKN Aerospace has signed a six-year follow-on contract with BAE Systems for continued manufacture of Eurofighter Typhoon transparencies at its Luton facility, through to the end of 2030.

Advertisement
ODU RT