Serco, the international provider of critical public services, has significantly reinforced its position in the Asia Pacific region through a series of strategic defence contract wins and extensions in Australia. These achievements underscore the company’s expanding footprint and trusted partnerships amid rising governmental demand for defence and security services.
A major success is the successful rebid of the HMAS Watson Navy Synthetic Warfare Training contract for the Royal Australian Navy. Valued at over £80 million (approximately AUD$160 million) if all extension options are exercised, the contract includes an initial five-year term with five additional one-year options. Since 2012, Serco has delivered high-fidelity, simulator-based maritime warfare training to Maritime Warfare Officers from its Sydney facility, a service it will now continue.
In a separate award, Serco has secured a three-year contract extension, worth around £5 million (c. AUD$10 million), to provide in-service support for Mini Typhoon, Typhoon, and Toplite (MTTT) systems for the Navy. This agreement also includes an option for a further two-year extension.
Beyond core defence, Serco has also been selected as the preferred bidder to design and construct a new freight vessel for World Heritage-listed Lord Howe Island under the New South Wales Government’s Critical Infrastructure Program. This vessel will be built to serve the island’s community and visitor economy for the next four decades. Its design will incorporate enhanced biosecurity controls, crucial for protecting the island’s unique native flora and fauna.
Commenting on these wins, Anthony Kirby, Chief Executive Officer of Serco Group plc, said: “Our success in securing these contracts reflects the strength of our expertise and customer relationships as well as our track record delivering mission-critical services for defence clients. As governments increase spending on defence and national security, I am proud of the role Serco plays in supporting the defence of nations and citizens.”
Kirby added that these awards build on the company’s strong recent momentum in the defence sector, which comprised approximately two-thirds of Serco’s total order intake in 2025. This trio of contracts demonstrates Serco’s diversified capabilities, from advanced military training and equipment support to vital civilian infrastructure projects, all contributing to its growing role in the Asia Pacific region.
