Planning

WLT: Weapon Load Trainer

DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT

This public procurement record has 4 releases in its history.

PlanningUpdate

16 Jan 2026 at 13:56

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

23 Oct 2025 at 10:56

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
PlanningUpdate

29 Sep 2025 at 11:59

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Planning

09 Sep 2025 at 15:59

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence, through Defence Equipment and Support based in Bristol, is currently in the planning stage of procuring Weapon Load Trainers (WLT) as part of the Typhoon Force training enhancement. This procurement, noted under ID 003912-2026, involves a market engagement to seek expressions of interest from qualified suppliers. The sector focus is on services related to training and simulation in aircraft, missiles, and spacecraft, under the defence and security regime. The due date for expressions of interest is set for 30th January 2026. The intended contract period is from 31st March 2026 to 31st March 2028, covering key UK regions as the delivery location.

This tender presents robust opportunities for businesses in the training and simulation sector, particularly SMEs and VCSEs, which are encouraged to express interest. By procuring advanced Weapon Load Trainers, the Ministry aims to improve training efficiency and safety while reducing reliance on operational aircraft for training purposes. Companies specialising in high-fidelity training aids and possessing the technical capacity to safeguard sensitive military equipment during production will find this opportunity particularly suitable. This procurement aligns with efforts to support sustainable growth within the defence industry, offering a competitive edge to firms that can innovatively meet the stringent training requirements of the Typhoon Force.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

WLT: Weapon Load Trainer

Notice Description

Background: A Weapon Load Trainer (WLT) formed part of the original Eurofighter training solution; this was never implemented by the RAF. The initial concept envisaged integrating the RAF Typhoon Weapons Load Training Team with the Weapons Training Team within the Typhoon Training Facility (TTF). The planned concept of operations for a WLT will be for the device to be jointly operated between the TTF and the Weapon Load Training Cell (WLTC). TTF delivers all initial Weapon Load (WL) training, with the WLTC responsible for all WL recertification. The current weapon load training solution requires the transfer of activity from the controlled, purpose-built TTF environment to operational settings. These operational settings are less conducive to initial learning, introduce additional distractions and safety risks, and rely on opportunistic use of maintenance events. Such one-off training opportunities limit practice to mastery and constrain formative and summative assessment against the Required Performance Standard, resulting in repeated, ad hoc exercises to achieve compliance. Preparation of Forward Available Fleet (FAF) aircraft for training purposes, and their subsequent recovery to operational configuration, is resource-intensive and increases maintenance burden and potential for repair. Additionally, FAF aircraft are routinely subject to operational commitments, which can disrupt or invalidate planned training. Requirement: This requirement outlines the procurement of WLTs for both Main Operating Bases (MOBs), designed to meet Armament Carriage & Installation Systems standards and the broader requirements of the WLTCs. The primary driver for this acquisition is the increasing demand on forward environments to provide training resources, coupled with growing pressure on Typhoon Force training facilities, assets, and resources due to force growth and export training requirements. Procuring one WLT, with an aim to procure a second, will significantly reduce the impact of training on operational environments and the FAF, whilst ensuring a consistent training output aligned with aircraft configurations at both MOBs. High-fidelity WLT Ground Training Aids will support all initial and re-certification weapon load training. The requirement seeks the procurement of one standalone WLT initially, with the potential for a second WLT subject to affordability. As part of the Typhoon Force disposal strategy, two Tranche 1 Typhoon airframes have been made available for use by the manufacturer in constructing the WLTs, should they choose to do so. This approach offers environmental benefits by reducing the impact of standard aircraft disposal and may also provide efficiencies for the manufacturer. Please note that this will necessitate secure facilities and stringent security measures to safeguard the airframes and associated equipment throughout the process.

Planning Information

Through this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice (PMEN), the Ministry of Defence seeks expressions of interest from suitably qualified suppliers. Any interested supplier with the experience, capability and capacity to deliver this service are asked to register their interest by contacting the buyer at the details provided in this notice via DSP only. Further market engagement shall be driven by the level of interest recieved subject to the Authority's decision this will be updated via FTS by the Contracting Authority. This PMEN has been published for the purposes of Market Sounding and to assist in the determination of the procurement strategy. No formal procurement has been launched. This is not a commitment by the UK Ministry of Defence to place a contract or launch a tender in the future.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05970d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003912-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

80 - Education and training services

CPV Codes

80650000 - Training and simulation in aircrafts, missiles and spacecrafts

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Jan 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Jan 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
30 Mar 2026 - 31 Mar 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

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

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT
Contact Name
Darren Steward
Contact Email
darren.steward105@mod.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
BRISTOL
Postcode
BS34 8JH
Post Town
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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