QinetiQ Company Profile, Products, Employees and Revenue

QinetiQ Group plc is a British defence technology and services company headquartered at Cody Technology Park in Farnborough, Hampshire, best known for running the UK Ministry of Defence’s test and evaluation ranges under the Long Term Partnering Agreement (LTPA). It was created in 2001 from the government’s Defence Evaluation and Research Agency and is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

For the year ended 31 March 2026 (FY26), QinetiQ reported revenue of £1,922.6 million, underlying operating profit of £218 million and record order intake of £3,573 million. The company said it employs about 7,500 people. UK government customers accounted for £1,290.4 million of revenue, roughly two-thirds of the total, with the US government the next largest at £248.8 million.

What Does QinetiQ Do?

QinetiQ describes itself as an integrated defence and technology services provider rather than a platform or hardware manufacturer. It develops, integrates, tests and supports defence systems across air, land, sea, cyber and space, and test and evaluation is central to its offer. It operates ranges and specialist facilities used to certify and assure equipment under realistic conditions, and it supports live operations with mission data and secure communications.

How Many Employees Does QinetiQ Have?

QinetiQ said in its FY26 results announcement of 21 May 2026 that it employs c.7,500 highly skilled people. Wikipedia lists a higher figure of 8,000 for 2026. The company’s own figure is the more recent statement.

QinetiQ Revenue and Financial Results

Organic revenue grew 1.3% in FY26, driven by the UK. Order intake included the LTPA extension, which lifted the funded backlog by 55%. The company set a new dividend payout target of 35 to 40% of underlying earnings per share and announced a £200 million buyback extension of £100 million a year through FY29. For FY27 it guided to revenue growth of 3 to 5%, an operating margin of 11.0 to 11.5% and cumulative free cash flow above £550 million over FY27 to FY29. Guidance is a company forecast, not a result.

What Are QinetiQ’s Business Segments?

EMEA Services covers capability integration, operational readiness and threat representation, largely on long-term contracts. About 68% of its revenue comes from single-source contracts, and its funded backlog was £4.1 billion at year end. Its business units include UK Defence, UK Intelligence and Australia. Global Solutions combines technology products and services and includes the US business and the Targets business, whose revenue grew 6% in constant currency. In the US, QinetiQ works on space and missile defence, maritime systems, persistent surveillance and autonomy, and it said the Space Development Agency launched 21 data-transport satellites for Tranche 1 in September 2025.

What Is the LTPA and How Does QinetiQ Work With the UK MOD?

The Long Term Partnering Agreement is the contract under which QinetiQ operates and maintains the UK MOD’s test and evaluation ranges and facilities. In May 2025 QinetiQ announced a £1.7 billion, five-year extension to 2033, which QinetiQ said would fund transformation of UK sovereign test, trials, training and evaluation capabilities and increase use by UK and NATO allies. LTPA non-tasking revenue was £294 million in FY26.

Other UK awards in FY26 included a five-year, £205 million extension for engineering services on the RAF Typhoon fleet, a £70 million two-year OpNet contract with Defence Digital, a £25 million Maritime Command and Staff Trainer for the Royal Navy and a £67 million MBDA contract to help deliver the UK’s first DragonFire laser weapons. QinetiQ also set up DroneWorks, a test capability for uncrewed aircraft. The UK government segment produced £1,290.4 million of FY26 revenue, up from £1,205.3 million.

Which Countries Does QinetiQ Sell To?

The US business now generates about $385 million a year, and QinetiQ said it is assessing its strategic fit within the group with all options under review. In Europe, the company reported an MoU between the UK and Belgium on a sovereign mission data capability, and its prior-year orders included the 10-year NGGATS contract in Germany.

QinetiQ History Timeline

Foster-Miller’s TALON tracked robot, used for bomb disposal in Iraq and Afghanistan, came with the 2004 purchase. Wikipedia identifies QinetiQ North America as its manufacturer; QinetiQ’s FY26 results do not break out robotics separately.

Recent QinetiQ Developments and Related Coverage

QinetiQ is part of the consortium behind the DragonFire laser, alongside MBDA UK and Leonardo UK; see our report on the UK plan to arm Type 45 destroyers with DragonFire from 2027 and our profiles of MBDA and Leonardo. For the prime contractors whose programmes QinetiQ tests and supports, see BAE Systems and Thales.

On 16 July 2026 QinetiQ said first-quarter trading was consistent with full-year expectations and that it would show a new laser source technology subsystem at the Farnborough International Airshow, held 20 to 24 July.

QinetiQ FAQ

Where is QinetiQ headquartered?

At Cody Technology Park in Farnborough, Hampshire, UK.

What does QinetiQ do?

It provides engineering, test and evaluation, mission support and research services to defence and security customers, mainly the UK MOD.

How many employees does QinetiQ have?

About 7,500, according to its FY26 results announcement of 21 May 2026.

What was QinetiQ revenue in FY26?

£1,922.6 million for the year to 31 March 2026, against £1,931.6 million a year earlier.

Who is the CEO of QinetiQ?

Steve Wadey is Group Chief Executive Officer.

What is the LTPA?

The Long Term Partnering Agreement under which QinetiQ runs UK MOD test and evaluation ranges. It was extended by £1.7 billion to 2033.

Is QinetiQ owned by the UK government?

No. It is a listed company. The MOD sold its remaining shares in 2008 and kept a special share, according to Wikipedia.

Does QinetiQ make robots?

It acquired Foster-Miller, maker of the TALON bomb-disposal robot, in 2004, and Wikipedia names QinetiQ North America as its manufacturer.