Elbit Systems: Israelis to Train 60,000 British Soldiers Annually

Elbit Systems UK (ESUK), the British subsidiary of the Israeli defense giant, has been chosen by the Ministry of Defence as a Strategic Training Partner (STP) for the Collective Training Transformation Programme (CTTP). The decision marks a historic step for the digitalization and modernization of the UK's military training.

ESUK was already an established player in the field of simulation, with numerous active programs. Among these stands out the Integrated Indirect Fire Simulation (IIDFS), a contract awarded in 2023 for training with 81 mm mortars and 105 mm howitzers, capable of reproducing realistic scenarios through simulated ammunition and advanced digital interfaces.

Another significant project is the Joint Fires Synthetic Trainer (JFST), which prepares operators responsible for coordinating artillery, aviation, helicopters, and drones. The system includes six variants, including a 285-degree immersive dome certified by both NATO and the United States. Since 2022, it has already provided over 12,000 hours of training to British and allied forces.

Completing the picture is the Interim Combined Arms Virtual Simulation (Deployed) – ICAVS(D) – in use since 2022, capable of offering immersive and deployed tactical training even in Europe, during Operation CABRIT in Estonia and Poland and the CERBERUS 22 exercise. With Project Vulcan, launched in 2023, ESUK has also provided simulators for Boxer vehicles and Challenger 3 tanks, while in the naval sector it participates in Project Selborne, contributing to the transformation of Royal Navy training.

Finally, through the joint venture Affinity with KBR, Elbit supports the flight training program with 42 aircraft distributed across various RAF bases, totaling over 50,000 flight hours since 2016. All this has created the favorable ground for Elbit's victory for the CTTP.

The ACTS: A Transformative Program for 60,000 Soldiers

The Collective Training Transformation Programme (CTTP) aims to redefine the collective training of the British Army, which involves about 60,000 soldiers annually, from small teams to large units. The core of the program is the Army Collective Training Service (ACTS), a 15-year contract worth approximately 2 billion pounds.

Through the ACTS, the MoD intends to radically transform military preparation methods:

• Governance of the training service, in collaboration with the Ministry.
• Planning and scheduling of training events, with management of available resources.
• Analysis and development of training requirements, based on emerging threats.
• Design and construction of complex training scenarios.
• Delivery of live exercises and digital simulations, with logistical support, security, and scenarios with actors and “adversaries” (A3E).
• Continuous development and innovation, to adapt systems to new operational needs.
• Validation and verification of the quality of the training path.

Elbit's victory as STP means that the company will lead the transition to a training model that integrates live, virtual, and constructive environments (LVC), maximizing digitalization, data collection, and analysis. The ultimate goal is to prepare the armed forces to operate in multi-domain scenarios, with greater efficiency and productivity.

The Strategic Role of Elbit as a Long-term Partner

With the appointment as Strategic Training Partner, Elbit Systems UK not only strengthens its presence in the British market but becomes a central player in the modernization of NATO's training capabilities. The MoD's choice reflects the trust in the company's accumulated experience and its ability to integrate advanced technologies with a modular and flexible approach.

The ACTS will enable continuous innovation thanks to immersive simulation systems, scalable digital environments, and a secure cloud infrastructure. Data integration will become a fundamental lever: it will be possible to analyze unit performances, identify strengths and areas for improvement, and objectively measure exercise results.

For the British Army, the transformation means being able to train soldiers and units anywhere in the world, replicating realistic scenarios without the logistical limits and costs of traditional exercises. For Elbit, the contract consolidates a leadership position not only in the United Kingdom but in the entire European defense context.

The victory in the ACTS thus marks the beginning of a new phase: the British Army will have a strategic partner capable of ensuring continuity, innovation, and interoperability, while Elbit strengthens its role as a global provider of cutting-edge training solutions.