The Royal Navy's two new aircraft carriers will be equipped with a new powerful UK-designed and manufactured radar, under a £100 million contract with BAE Systems Insyte.

With its ability to track a target the size of a snooker ball over 20 km away, the new more powerful Artisan radar will provide an improved 3D maritime Medium Range Radar (MRR) capability. The radar system will be developed and manufactured by BAE Systems Insyte at its plant in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

Rear Admiral Amjad Hussain, Director General Weapons at MOD Defence Equipment and Support said

"The Artisan radar is a sophisticated world-class system which will significantly improve the flow and quality of information to commanders compared with existing technology. It will allow our ships to detect, track and aid the identification of a range of threats from the air and surface in difficult conditions.

"The new radar will replace existing systems on our Type23 frigates, landing ships HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark and the assault helicopter carrier HMS Ocean - as well as on our two new aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales. This is a prime example of the type of hi tech equipment that we are investing in to improve the ability of our commanders to operate in the 21st Century."

Captain Brian Archibald Royal Navy Integrated Project Team Leader for Short Range Air Defence, at MOD Defence Equipment and Support added:

"The MRR project will provide the Royal Navy with a long awaited and unrivalled improvement to its Medium Range Radar capability whilst also delivering enhanced system availability and best value-for-money to the taxpayer.

"The project will be delivered through a firm price contract, covering both Demonstration, Manufacture and delivery of the radar systems and the first 10 years of in-service support. This has been a tight competition and my thanks go to all those in industry and in the MoD who have worked so hard to make this happen."

The contract which has been awarded to BAE Systems Insyte is expected to sustain around 200 jobs in BAE Systems, their team partners and the supplier base, around 40 per cent at the contractor's facilities' in Cowes, Isle of Wight.

Other radars being produced at BAE Systems Insyte inc Long Range Radar and SAMPSON (Multi-Function Radar) for the Royal Navy and Commander (RT102) for the RAF.