Osborne Clarke gets on board for Navy deal

Osborne Clarke has advised Babcock Marine on two major defence contracts, including a £150m deal to provide maintenance to the Royal Navy submarine fleet.

Commercial partner James Mullock advised Babcock on the submarine maintenance contract, which will see the company provide in-service support to the entire Royal Navy submarine fleet for the next decade. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) used its in-house legal department to negotiate the deal.

In addition, projects partner Julia Wood led the team advising on a £55m contract to supply the MoD with 200 frontline vehicles. Under the terms of the contract the MoD will take delivery of 110 Jackal 2 armoured cars and 70 Coyote Tactical Support Vehicles for use in Afghanistan.

Babcock will work with vehicle design company Supacat to deliver the contract. Supacat, which was advised by Bevan Brittan associate David England, will be responsible for design, development, proto­typing, integration and overall programme management. Babcock will be responsible for production planning, purchasing and manufacture at Devonport Royal Dockyard.

The MoD was advised by Pinsent Masons associate Ruth Andrew.

Wood coordinated a team that included head of banking Omar Al-Nuaimi and partner Erika Jupe, who advised on tax arrangements.