£45 Million Boost for Troops Against Deadly IEDs
British soldiers and military bases worldwide are set to get cutting-edge digital protection from deadly Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). A new £45 million contract will fund Project CRENIC, a game-changing defence system designed to detect and disrupt remote and radio-controlled bombs.
Homegrown Tech to Keep Troops Safe
The contract has been awarded to Team Protect, a UK-based consortium including PA Consulting, Leonardo, Leidos Innovations UK, and Marshall Land Systems. Over the next five years, they’ll work closely with small and medium-sized businesses to develop advanced protective gear for troops on foot, vehicles, and military bases.
- More than 50 UK jobs safeguarded, spanning the North-West, East, and South-West.
- Technology adaptable for future military uses and allied collaboration.
- Development of equipment using electromagnetic spectrum techniques to detect and neutralise threats.
Government and Military Backers Speak Out
“Our Armed Forces dedicate their lives to protecting and securing our nation. As threats evolve, so must our technology. This project unites pioneering UK industry to create a world-leading protection system,” – Defence Procurement Minister Alex Chalk.
“CRENIC will deliver cutting-edge capability using agile acquisition, supporting multi-domain integration. This means intelligence is collected once but used across multiple operations,” – Major General Robin Anderton-Brown, Director Capability Strategic Command.
“Team Protect is proud to lead this vital project. We bring strong experience in complex programme delivery, engineering, and digital transformation to keep UK forces safer,” – Peter Lovell, Global Head of Defence and Security at PA Consulting.
Next-Gen Defence Lab and Deployment
An integration lab will be set up to foster continuous innovation and tweak technology as threats evolve. The first rounds of advanced vehicle and soldier equipment are expected to be delivered by 2026, with phased rollouts supporting the British Army, Royal Marines, and RAF land forces well into the future.
