Babcock And Aselsan Sign Memorandum Of Understanding To Strengthen RAF Training Capability.

February 2026: Vide a Press release, Babcock has informed that the company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with ASELSAN, a leading international defence electronics company, to explore the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) requirement for a Surface Electronic Warfare Threat (SEWT) training system as part of the Next Generation Operational Training (NGOT) programme. The system would provide advanced simulation of modern-day Integrated Air Defence Systems, supporting the UK’s commitment to enhance readiness across its forces.

Working together with ASELSAN, Babcock we will develop a joint approach to this opportunity, aiming to deliver a realistic and scalable simulation capability that reflects the complexity and pace of today’s military flying operations. By combining deep operational understanding with advanced technology, the collaboration aims to provide training environments that accurately mirror real world threats, preparing aircrew for the demands of increasingly complex missions.

Austin Lewis, Vice President Future Business, Babcock, said: “The demands on aircrew are ever increasing and we are focused on ensuring they have the best training to support these evolving needs. Through this MOU, we are exploring how our complementary strengths with ASELSAN could align to support the RAF’s future training requirements”. He has further reiterated that, “This collaboration allows us to assess potential routes together, bringing technical insight and integrated systems expertise into a shared effort to understand how dependable training capabilities for aircrew could be shaped”.

Erhan Ülgen, Business Development and Marketing Director for Europe and America, ASELSAN, said: “ASELSAN is excited to establish and sustain a lasting partnership with Babcock supporting the SEWT as part of NGOT. Our globally tested and proven expertise in electronic warfare will create great value for the RAF and ensure readiness of air crews in the face of modern and future challenges. Bringing together ASELSAN and Babcock’s key strengths will secure a cutting edge and sustainable solution for the RAF’s training needs”.

The agreement focuses on a potential Surface Electronic Warfare Threat training system under the RAF’s Next Generation Operational Training program. The program aims to modernise how UK aircrew train for contested air environments, exposing them to advanced air defence threats without relying solely on live exercises.

This reflects the UK’s push to adapt training for high-threat scenarios as potential adversaries field more capable air defence and electronic warfare systems.

The partnering companies will assess whether a jointly developed system could replicate modern Integrated Air Defence Systems, including radar and surface-to-air missile threats. This would allow pilots and mission crews to train against realistic electronic warfare scenarios using scalable, reconfigurable threat simulations.

Babcock will draw on its experience delivering military training and operational support to UK forces, while Aselsan contributes its expertise in electronic warfare systems. No timeline, funding details, or specific system configurations were disclosed, and any future capability would remain subject to UK Ministry of Defence requirements and approvals.

Team Maverick.