3 Apr 2025

Babcock awarded UK MOD contract to provide innovative support to Ukraine

Babcock has been awarded a proof-of-concept contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) which will enable Ukraine’s armed forces to 3D print military equipment.

As prime contractor, we will work with UK defence technology company QinetiQ to create digital drawings and Computer Aided Design (CAD) files of military equipment which then can be used to print parts in country.

This innovative technology support comprises reverse engineering older parts to understand their function and design, enabling them to be digitally recreated on demand. Digital files will enable the manufacturing of parts during operations using a variety of methods including 3D printing, demonstrating our ability to deliver defence support capability whenever and wherever it is required.

Tom Newman, CEO of Babcock’s Land Sector, said: “We aim to give Ukraine the capability to recreate the military parts that they need, where and when it really matters. This innovation builds on our engineering expertise and technology capability, giving us further opportunities to optimise 3D printing.”

Alan Hart, Managing Director of Science, Technology and Weapons for QinetiQ, said: “We are delighted to be working with Babcock to support Ukraine, and are immensely proud that QinetiQ is able to draw on our world-leading expertise in technical assurance to assist.

“This latest contract demonstrates QinetiQ’s unequalled expertise in material capability assurance, and commitment to support to the frontline, whether our own or those of our allies.”

This new contract forms part of Babcock’s steadfast support for Ukraine. Recently, we announced an extension to our support for Ukraine’s armed forces which will ensure vehicles such as the Challenger 2 tank are repaired and restored as quickly as possible to the front line. We manage the vehicle supply chain and spares and share our engineering expertise to train the Ukrainian military to conduct the repairs themselves.