UK Firm Wins NATO Drone Training Deal

Inzpire has won a three-year contract with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), becoming the first UK defence company to instruct on the MQ-9B remotely piloted air system (RPAS), known in RAF service as the Protector RG Mk.1.

Inzpire is delivering live and synthetic training for pilots, sensor operators and mission intelligence coordinators, for the RAF and NATO allies. The initial contract includes two instructor crews, with scope to expand to up to 37 crews.

The contract was awarded via NSPA within the MQ-9B International Cooperative Partnership (MICP). Inzpire's instructors are embedded with 54 Squadron, accredited by NATO Flight Training Europe (NFTE) to deliver MQ-9B training, based at RAF Waddington, where Inzpire delivers training including Exercise COBRA WARRIOR and the RAF's Gladiator system.

Jonny Smith, Managing Director, Inzpire, said: "This contract marks an important milestone in our continued growth as a trusted training partner to the UK Armed Forces and NATO, building on our proven track record delivering synthetic and live flying training across a range of frontline military platforms at individual, team and collective levels. Inzpire's expertise will increase training capacity for NATO MQ-9B and RAF Protector crews, while allowing military personnel to focus where they are needed most – on the frontline."

Dr. Stergios Isaakidis, NSPA, AGS & UAS Programme Manager, said: "This contract brings essential training capacity to 54 Squadron with a clear view to provide training solutions to the wider MQ-9B Partnership. Joint training programmes are also a foundational element that enables multinational operations."