BAE Systems awards IT contract to Siemens

The contract will see Siemens provide product lifecycle management software to be used to develop Trident nuclear submarines

BAE Systems has signed a contract with Siemens for product lifecycle management (PLM) software, which will be used to develop new Trident nuclear submarines for the Royal Navy.

Under the terms of the deal, announced today, the defence equipment contractor will use Siemens Teamcenter software to develop the new fleet of its next-generation vessels.

The software is also expected to improve productivity and collaboration among staff as well as establishing common processes across the business.

Tony Johns, BAE Systems' future submarines director, said: "BAE Systems decided to deploy a PLM approach to the future nuclear deterrent submarine programme. This will enable the design process to be managed more effectively and predictably, in what is one of the most challenging new product programmes in UK industry today."

The Trident programme was given the green light earlier this year for a £3bn design stage. However, a decision on whether construction will go ahead as planned is unlikely to be taken until after the next general election, owing to significant opposition to the programme.