25th Oct 2007 11:04
QinetiQ Group plc25 October 2007 QinetiQ Group plc25 October 2007 Ministry of Defence written statement on Defence Training Rationalisation (DTR)programme Further to its trading statement of 28 September 2007, QinetiQ Group plc('QinetiQ'), the international defence and security technology company, drawsattention to the following written statement on the Defence TrainingRationalisation (DTR) programme, issued by the Ministry of Defence today. "This statement updates the House on the Defence Training RationalisationProgramme following the announcement made in January this year (17 Jan 2007:Column 789). "We continue to make progress on Package 1, which aims to deliver training forEngineering and Communications and Information Systems. We have now let a riskreduction contract with Metrix which seeks to increase confidence in our abilityto amend training courses quickly and efficiently over the life of the maincontract in response to changes in training needs. It is anticipated that wewill be in a position to commit to the final developmental phase of the Projectin the spring of next year with a view to signing the main contract within afurther year. Construction at the St Athan site would then start in 2009, withthe aim of completing the final phase by 2013. "The work to explore possible synergies and economies of scale across theprogramme as a whole has concluded that there are insufficient efficiencies tomove forward on this basis. We therefore continue to consider a range ofoptions for Package 2, which aims to provide training for Logistics andPersonnel Administration, Police and Guarding, Security, Languages, Intelligenceand Photography. These options vary from adaptations to Metrix' original PFIproposals through to a full conventional procurement. The work to develop anaffordable project will continue to focus on how best to improve ouraccommodation and training facilities, and meet our commitments following thereview by Nicholas Blake QC to improve the support, welfare and wellbeing of ourtrainees. "We continue to manage the implications for our people sensitively and in fullconsultation with Trades Unions and staff. For Package 1, our civilian staff inscope will continue to be required to transfer to the new Partner, although nomoves will take place before 2011. For Package 2, training will continue to bedelivered at the Package 2 sites under current arrangements for at least theforeseeable future. We now plan to take forward more detailed negotiations withthe Metrix consortium to press ahead with Package 1. The work on Package 2will be conducted in parallel and a further update on both packages will beprovided next year." - ends - For further information please contact: Metrix press office +44 (0)20 7227 1010 Adrian Colman, QinetiQ Investor Relations (d) +44 (0)1252 395366 (m) +44 (0)7740 432699 Nicky Louth-DaviesHead of Media & Corporate AffairsQinetiQt: 01252 392809m: 07795 290593www.QinetiQ.com This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock ExchangeRelated Shares:
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