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Strategic Defence Review - Energetics Information Notice

Ministry of Defence

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

Planning

19 Nov 2025 at 15:35

Market Engagement Notice
Planning

19 Nov 2025 at 10:18

Market Engagement Notice
Planning

19 Nov 2025 at 10:11

Market Engagement Notice
Planning

19 Nov 2025 at 10:07

Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) in the United Kingdom is in the planning stage for a procurement process titled "Strategic Defence Review - Energetics Information Notice," classified under military research and technology. This initiative aims to develop a continuous supply pipeline for munitions by constructing at least six new energetics and munitions factories across the UK. Key deadlines include an engagement end date set for 15th December 2025. Suppliers interested in participating must complete a 15-minute presentation between 12th and 23rd January 2026, with the formal tender process expected to commence in the first quarter of 2026. The project is part of a broader strategy to enhance warfighting readiness and strengthen industry partnerships, focusing on several locations, including British Overseas Territories, Channel Islands, and the UK mainland. The procurement method involves a tender initiation to identify viable proposals from prospective suppliers.

This tender presents significant opportunities for business growth, especially for companies with expertise in manufacturing high explosives, propellants, ignitors, detonators, and other energetics materials. It is particularly suitable for businesses capable of demonstrating economic and technical viability in their proposals, with an emphasis on investments in UK-based facilities. The Ministry of Defence seeks suppliers ready to utilize existing order books and explore export opportunities to supplement local demand. The procurement process encourages participation from small to medium enterprises, offering potential support in site identification, regulatory engagement, and exploring R&D funding channels for successful proposals. Engaging in this tender can lead to funded feasibility studies, engineering design efforts, and potentially securing government investment for large-scale facility construction from 2026 onwards.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Strategic Defence Review - Energetics Information Notice

Notice Description

UK government is acting on the Strategic Defence Review's recommendations by investing in an 'always on' pipeline for munitions including building at least six new energetics and munitions factories in the UK. The User requires the manufacture of the following Energetic Materials: * RDX (Bachman or Woolwich) * HMX * Trinitrotoluene (TNT) * Nitrocellulose (NC) * Nitroglycerine (NG) * Nitroguanidine (NQ) * Hexanitrostilbene (HNS) * Ammonium Perchlorate (AP) * Boron Potassium Nitrate (BKNO3) Other materials in the following classes: High explosives, Propellants, Ignitors, Detonators, Pyrotechnics, may be considered on an exceptional basis. Proposals will be sought which demonstrate economic and technical viability with capital available for investment. Additionally, the Authority welcomes expressions of interest from consumers who wish to establish a supply of these materials for current facilities (domestic or exports) or aim to establish a capability in the UK which will rely on them. Overview: The Strategic Defence Review sets out the ambition of moving to warfighting readiness through a whole-of-society approach ensuring an engine for growth through a new partnership with industry, radical procurement reforms, and backing businesses to establish and grow in the UK. The MoD aims to achieve this through a coherent set of significant multi-year investments in onshore energetic materials synthesis through UK-based or overseas-based suppliers. These investments will typically form part, but not all, of the funding required for the establishment of a facility. During the formal tender documentation process, suppliers should consider how they will generate UK growth. Companies with established order books/markets will be prioritised. Proposals must demonstrate that they are economically and technically viable to progress. Consideration should also be given to: 1. The scale of the proposed facility and the market demand required to support it: 1.1 Proposals should assume a range of scenarios such as surge demand and reduced or minimal UK MoD demand. 1.2 Other offtakes, such as exports and civilian markets, should be considered and are expected to form the majority of the demand signal. UK government, via the MoD's Defence Exports team, will actively support export campaigns. 2 Economic viability including fluctuating demand and market prices. 2.1 Proposals should be economically viable as further support funding for facilities is not envisioned. 3 The level of investment required (VROM) and how this will be raised: 3.1 Including internal company investment and external venture capital 3.2 It is expected that MoD funding will not form the majority of funding for proposals. 4 Wider requirements to establish a facility including: 4.1 Regulatory 4.2 Skills 4.3 Export support (including UKEF) 4.4 Technology 4.5 Sites Additional information: Next steps are for suppliers to register their interest in one-to-one engagements with MOD in Q1 2026 via the email address shown below. Companies should provide a 15 minute pitch covering proposed materials, scale and approach to manufacture, as well as economic viability. Formal tender process is targeted to commence in Q1 2026. Proposals which can demonstrate economic and technical viability with available capital for investment will be prioritised. For viable proposals, further support in the following areas may be available: identifying sites, engagement with regulators, export support, energy relief under the Energy Intensive Industries (EII) Compensation Scheme, and access to R&D funding sources. Suitable proposals will be invited to complete a funded feasibility study (subject to commercial and affordability requirements). Details of what is involved in this feasibility study will be provided in the initial meeting. Companies that continue to demonstrate technical and financial credibility and a commercially viable proposition will be invited to complete a funded Front End Engineering Design (FEED) -again subject to commercial and affordability requirements. Following successful competition of a FEED and on final agreement of wider commercial terms required for investment a contract may be placed for MoD investment into the production facility (factory). Timelines will be dependent on the complexity of the proposals. MOD anticipates that construction will begin in 2026.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-b5fd17-6630fb7e-1d70-4353-aa35-c25880d1d578
Publication Source
Contracts Finder
Latest Notice
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/5fa133e1-15e8-4497-b32a-b763cc7a644a
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Not specified
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

73410000 - Military research and technology

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
19 Nov 20259 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
15 Dec 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
Not specified - Not specified
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Ministry of Defence
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS34 8JH
Postcode Area
Bristol
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLK South West (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLK5 West of England
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLK52 Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
South Gloucestershire
Electoral Ward
Stoke Park & Cheswick
Westminster Constituency
Filton and Bradley Stoke

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts.

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