The Ministry of Defence has announced a five-year strategic agreement with IBM for the continued management of its air surveillance and command control system (UCCS). The system issued identifies the thousands of aircrafts that are in the skies above the UK at any moment of the day.

This agreement will enable the Royal Air Force Boulmer in Northumberland and Royal Air Force Scampton in Lincolnshire to scramble Tornado or Typhoon fighters and to intercept any aircraft that enters NATO and national airspace without proper authorisation.

Air Commodore Mark Wordley, Air Officer Battlespace Management, HQ Air Command, commented: “Continued support and development of the UCCS system remains vital to the defence of the UK Homeland. Furthermore the UCCS system supports key training activities essential for the preparation of Joint Forces deploying to operational theatres.”

The system was originally designed and implemented by IBM staff in the UK in 2001. The new agreement continues the existing relationship and covers the support for all hardware, software, training, helpdesk and onsite assistance.