Award

Procurement of LW30-UK5

DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Award

22 Oct 2025 at 13:53

Summary of the contracting process

The procurement process for the contract titled "Procurement of LW30-UK5" was conducted by Defence Equipment and Support, a public authority under the UK central government. This contract is focused on the acquisition of LW30 ammunition within the defence and security industry category. Located in Bristol, United Kingdom, the procurement stage is currently at the award phase, with a transparency notice published on 22nd October 2025. The procurement was managed through a direct award procedure, justified for technical reasons as specified under the Procurement Act 2023, with the contract award pending signature on 1st July 2026. The contract is set to commence on 2nd July 2026 and extend until 2nd July 2034, featuring an estimated total value of £60 million inclusive of VAT, and involving Northrop Grumman International Inc. as the supplier, with legal rights to manufacture the ammunition.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for growth in the defence and security sector, particularly for businesses specialising in the manufacture and supply of ammunition compatible with complex weapon systems like the Apache platform. While the current award is designated for Northrop Grumman due to their unique technical capabilities and existing licensing agreements with the US Department of Defence, similar businesses that can secure necessary approvals and technical expertise may also explore future opportunities with the Ministry of Defence. Moreover, companies with a focus on strategic collaborations with government bodies and possessing capabilities in supplying specified equipment could greatly benefit from engaging in such high-value projects.

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Notice Title

Procurement of LW30-UK5

Notice Description

The procurement of LW30 ammunition.

Procurement Information

The Defence General Munitions (DGM) Delivery Team, part of the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), has a requirement for LW30 ammunition and intends to award up to an 8 Year contract to Northrop Grumman (NG) via the direct award procedure in accordance with the procurement Act 2023 (PA23). The estimated total value of the proposed award is PS50m ex-VAT (PS60m inclusive of VAT). It is considered that the award of the contract without prior publication of a Tender notice in the UK e-notification service is lawful in accordance with Paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 of the PA23 for technical reasons. This is on the basis that NG have the rights to manufacture LW30 ammunition on licence from the US Department of Defence. NG are approved by the US DOD to manufacture LW30 ammunition for use in the Apache M230 Cannon. Only Rounds manufactured in accordance with the US DOD Design Authority can be used on the Apache Platform. UK MOD must utilise US DOD Endorsed companies when procuring UK Ammunition stores to ensure compatibility with the Apache platform. Compatibility with current in-service weapon systems is paramount and NG have the technical knowledge, expertise and legal rights to manufacture these Rounds.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d1c1
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067540-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK5 - Transparency Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Direct
Procurement Method Details
Direct award
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Large

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

35330000 - Ammunition

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£50,000,000 £10M-£100M
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
22 Oct 20254 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
22 Oct 20254 months ago
Contract Period
1 Jul 2026 - 2 Jul 2034 Over 5 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Complete
Lots Status
Complete
Awards Status
Pending
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
example.example@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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

NORTHROP GRUMMAN INTERNATIONAL

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

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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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