Exail and JFD partner to Increase Resilience in Future UK Mine Countermeasure Capability

Exail and JFD Global have signed a Pre-bid agreement to explore a future collaboration that will include UK-based maintenance, training and support services, to establish a long-term industrial partnership supporting the evolution and sustainment of modern mine countermeasure (MCM) capabilities in the UK.

As navies develop a hybrid future force, the partnership between Exail and JFD provides continuity of a proven operational assurance model, enabling the seamless integration of advanced technology while strengthening MCM capability. This future collaboration brings together Exail’s mature autonomous MCM systems and capability, already in service across several NATO navies, with JFD’s proven In-Service Support (ISS) capability assurance model, which provides customers with the highest levels of operational availability incorporating local support, maintenance and training expertise.

The collaboration is built around a UK-anchored support and sustainment model, ensuring that advanced autonomous capabilities are underpinned by robust industrial expertise throughout their operational life. By combining proven technologies with local training, maintenance and through-life support, Exail and JFD aim to contribute to sustained readiness, resilience and availability of MCM forces.

Antony Penn, Chief Commercial Officer at Exail said: 

"By teaming with JFD, Exail is strengthening its long-term UK presence through a partnership built on shared excellence. JFD has a long history of providing the highest level of support for the UK's MCM capabilities. Through this collaboration, we are enabling the Royal Navy to have a seamless integration of manned and unmanned support services ensuring sovereign resilience and operational availability required for the next generation of mine warfare."

Richard Devlin, Defence Director at JFD said:

"This partnership reflects JFD’s commitment to delivering support, training and sustainment for critical underwater capabilities, ensuring operational readiness and resilience. For over 20 years JFD has provided equipment and support to the UK’s MCM teams at the highest level of operational readiness. We stand ready to support the next generation of hybrid forces through this partnership with Exail."