Turnchapel Wharf, Plymouth/UK - 14 March 2025 –
Mr. Darren Ash, the OCCAR Head of Programmes, joined the CEO of Thales UK, Mr.
Phil Siveter,
Delegates from the French Embassy in the UK including the Deputy Ambassador and delegates from the UK MoD invited to celebrate the successful delivery of the first UK MMCM Primary System.
OCCAR, The French Embassy and Thales opened the event with the following key messages:
Phil Siveter, CEO of Thales in the UK, “We are extremely proud to deliver the world's first end-to-end autonomous mine hunting system to the Royal Navy. With the introduction of AI and advanced sensor technology, this innovation marks a new era in naval defence and underlines our unwavering commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions that enhance the capabilities of our armed forces. The Royal Navy will now have a powerful tool to protect its national interests and maintain safety at sea."
Sébastien Bidaud, Deputy Ambassador of France to the United Kingdom, “The MMCM project, even if it takes place within separate umbrella programmes – the MHC (Mine Hunting Capability) programme in the UK and the SLAMF (Système de Lutte Anti-Mines Futur) one in France – constitutes a genuine cooperation between the UK and France. It has been entrusted to an able international Contractual Agency, OCCAR. It is being delivered by an international team of Defence companies led by Thales France and Thales UK, with a critical contribution from European subcontractors SAAB, L3 HARRIS and EXAILPrototyping.”
Darren Ash, Head of Programmes at OCCAR-EA, “10 years on from the contract award for MMCM Prototyping Phase (Stage I), OCCAR are delighted to be delivering to the UK and French Ministries of Defence the first of Class capability under MMCM Production Contract (Stage II). It’s been a remarkable joint endeavour with Industry, National Experts and OCCAR collaboratively resolving the challenge of developing and producing this cutting-edge technology; I thank you all for your commitment and professionalism. OCCAR with its Industry Partners is committed to delivering the remaining order book and In-Service support with additional primary systems for both nations due this year.”
Rebecca Smith, MP South West Devon, the local Member of Parliament (MP) released the following statement;
"I welcome today’s announcement by Thales regarding the delivery to the Royal Navy of the world’s first end-to-end autonomous mine hunting system. I am pleased to see that a city with such a prestigious naval history as Plymouth now finds itself at the heart of a future rich in innovations for the Royal Navy. I hope we continue to see new activities develop, resulting in new local jobs in high-tech maritime areas. In the current climate, it is important to ensure strong military and industrial cooperation across Europe, and I am proud to see Plymouth playing a key role in effectively supporting the relationship between the UK and France”, Rebecca Smith, MP South West Devon