Planning

Project TELUM - provision of aerobatic capable, light powered training aircraft, Qualified Flying Instructors, and associated support services to enable ground and flying training capability, Air Experience Flying, Flying Grading and Streaming.

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 3 releases in its history.

Planning

15 Sep 2025 at 16:25

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

06 Aug 2025 at 11:12

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Planning

05 Aug 2025 at 09:22

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is initiating Project TELUM, a planned procurement process aimed to enhance the UK's ground and flying training capabilities with light powered aerobatic training aircraft, qualified flying instructors, and support services, including engineering. This procurement is currently at the planning stage, with market engagement sessions scheduled virtually between 9th and 14th October 2025. Interested parties must register by 6th October 2025 to attend these sessions via Microsoft Teams. The procurement targets the Aerospace/Defence sector and will be conducted primarily in the United Kingdom. The procurement process is of the service category and will be executed through a direct award method, with the contract tentatively set to commence on 1st April 2030 and conclude by 31st March 2040, potentially extending through 2045.

This tender represents a significant opportunity for businesses specializing in aircraft supply, flying-school services, military aircraft applications, and engineering services to engage with the MoD. The project supports the development of University Air Squadrons and provides enhanced flying and training opportunities for military cadets and the armed forces. Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to participate, especially those capable of partnering in consortiums or acting as subcontractors within the Defence sector. This engagement is instrumental for companies aiming to expand their footprint in public-sector contracts within the Defence and Aerospace sectors in the UK, potentially facilitating substantial business growth and partnership opportunities.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

Project TELUM - provision of aerobatic capable, light powered training aircraft, Qualified Flying Instructors, and associated support services to enable ground and flying training capability, Air Experience Flying, Flying Grading and Streaming.

Notice Description

Ground and flying training capability is required for University Air Squadrons, Air Experience Flying for MOD sponsored cadets, Flying Grading for the Army and Flying Grading and Streaming for the Royal Navy. Capability is required to inspire and attract young people to a career in the RAF to include ground training, powered air experience and flying training, whilst simultaneously providing a means to enable non-established, critical Defence tasks and Pan-Defence flying grading and streaming activity, using a suitably capable light flying training aircraft supported by robust core services. Support services include aircraft engineering and other supporting services at permanent sites accross the UK.

Planning Information

We are pleased to be announcing virtual supplier 1-2-1 Pre-Market Engagement days for Project TELUM on 9th, 10th, 13th and 14th October 2025 held on Microsoft Teams. The sessions will focus on a variety of topics to inform the potential solution and requirements. The sessions will last for approximately 90 minutes and comprise: • MoD / supplier introductions • Rationale and purpose of engagement • Advise the Aerospace/Defence Industry that MoD is reviewing the options for the new project TELUM procurement. • Exploration of current and future capabilities • Supplier presentation • Q&A session In order to register interest and have the opportunity to attend, you will be required to register your details via email to air-commercialgroupmailbox@mod.gov.uk by 17:00 on 06 October 2025 and include the following as part of your response: • Full Name • Company Name • Names, role names and Email addresses of up to four attendees • An indication of your top 3 dates and times for the 1-2-1 Pre-market engagement sessions in order of preference from the detail in the RFI published on the Defence Sourcing Portal here https://contracts.mod.uk/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=60277 We encourage and support SME engagement so please identify yourself as an SME when submitting your request. SMEs that can demonstrate participations as part of a consortium or a key subcontractor in a Contract will be invited to the event. An agenda and timings for the event are included in the RFI document. Registration for the event will close on 06 October 2025 at 1700.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05813b
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056739-2025
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment

71 - Architectural, construction, engineering and inspection services

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

34741500 - Ground flying trainer

35610000 - Military aircrafts

71300000 - Engineering services

80412000 - Flying-school services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£336,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Sep 20255 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Oct 20268 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2030 - 31 Mar 2040 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Contact Name
Kate Foulkes
Contact Email
air-commercialgroupmailbox@mod.gov.uk
Contact Phone
0303 375 7933

Buyer Location

Locality
HIGH WYCOMBE
Postcode
HP14 4UE
Post Town
Hemel Hempstead
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ13 Buckinghamshire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Buckinghamshire
Electoral Ward
Ridgeway West
Westminster Constituency
Mid Buckinghamshire

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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