General Dynamics UK at DSEi, has been awarded a £3.4 million contract to upgrade the Royal Netherlands Marine Corps’ (RNLMC) New Integrated Marines Communications and Information System (NIMCIS). This upgrade will bring the Dutch force’s tactical communications system in line with the recently delivered British Armed Forces’ Bowman CIP 5.4 capability and ensure interoperability between the two allied forces. Called NIMCIS 2, the contract will run for 18 months and will be delivered in three phases.

“Our existing work on NIMCIS has proved a key enabler to making the Dutch Marines interoperable with other allied forces, especially with the UK’s Royal Marines,” commented Dr. Sandy Wilson, president and managing director of General Dynamics UK. “We are delighted to have the opportunity to once again put this valued export customer at the cutting edge of tactical communications once again as we upgrade NIMCIS to NIMCIS 2.”

It is providing the Dutch Marines with a proven, highly reliable Mobile Adhoc Network (MANET) that delivers C4I capability across the battlespace, NIMCIS 2 will include a new version of ComBAT (Common Battlefield Applications Toolset), which provides enhanced battle planning thanks to new communications information planning tools. It will also have a more stable and robust tactical internet, improved situational awareness and lighter equipment for the troops to carry.

General Dynamics UK will work closely with its Dutch customer throughout the NIMCIS 2 project to align its resources and equipment with training and production cycles of the new equipment. The company will also provide enhanced training at the Marines Training Centre in Doorn and ensure resource and equipment transition seamlessly into operational use for the Dutch Marines.