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UK5 - Transparency Notice

DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

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03 Nov 2025 at 11:34

Summary of the contracting process

The Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), a part of the UK Ministry of Defence based in Bristol, has completed the procurement process for the Ajax IOS Transition Support contract. This contract, focused on defence services, pertains to the armoured fighting vehicle 'Ajax', indicating a uniqueness in its requirements. The direct award contract, valued at a gross amount of £1.5 billion GBP, will be effective from 1st January 2028, with an initial duration of five years and two optional one-year extensions. The procurement method was direct due to the technical expertise required from the original Equipment Manufacturer and Design Authority, General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited, located in Blackwood. Key dates include the contract's finalisation by the end of 2027 and its completion by March 2035, if extended.

This tender represents a significant growth opportunity for businesses operating in defence support services. Companies that specialise in technical support, maintenance, and repair services for military equipment, especially those with a keen understanding of complex and digitised vehicle platforms, would find this contract advantageous. With the procurement model focusing on a single supplier due to technical reasons and intellectual property rights, businesses seeking partnerships or subcontracting opportunities with General Dynamics United Kingdom Limited may benefit. This contract ensures sustained operational capability, making it ideal for businesses prioritising long-term strategic alliances within the defence sector.

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Notice Title

UK5 - Transparency Notice

Notice Description

Ajax is an armoured fighting vehicle which provides the Army with its first fully digitised platform. The vehicles were designed and manufactured by General Dynamics United Kingdom Ltd (GDUK Ltd) and are therefore the original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Design Authority (DA). Defence Equipment & Support (DES), part of the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) is planning to award a 5 year (plus two 1 year options) Ajax IOS Transition Support contract to GDUK Ltd for the support of the vehicles as they complete their manufacture phase and transition to Post Design Services and Repair and Maintenance activities. The contract will cover support arrangements designed to ensure the sustained operational availability and performance of the Ajax platform vehicles. It will be a fully integrated, spares-inclusive support contract that combines post-design services with the provisioning of spare parts, repair and maintenance activities, and to facilitate technical support. The contract is structured to deliver a holistic through-life support solution, addressing both routine and emergent requirements to maintain the platform's capability and readiness. The MoD will also utilise other contracting arrangements to fulfil the Ajax support service needs, as necessary. The contract value is an indicative value at this point in the procurement procedure, this value may change at contract award due to additional options such as surge for war fighting.

Procurement Information

The In-Service Support Contract is intended to cover the period from the conclusion of the current contract on 1st January 2028 and will endure for five years, plus two optional one-year extension periods. The contract will be awarded in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) and the Procurement Regulations 2024. It is considered that this contract can be awarded by way of a Direct Award to GDUK Ltd in accordance with Section 41 and Schedule 5 - Single Supplier, paragraph 6 of the PA23 due to the unique technical reasons relating to this procurement. The MoD does not currently have access to the necessary proprietary information or technical documentation for the Ajax platform. Only GDUK Ltd, as OEM and DA, has access to and rights in the necessary Intellectual Property (IP) and technical data which precludes the MoD from sourcing the required goods, works, or services from an alternative supplier currently. Further, only GDUK Ltd has the requisite know-how and suitably qualifies and experienced personnel and information necessary to meet the MoD's requirement. This approach is necessary to ensure that the MoD can maintain operational capability and safeguard the effective support of the Ajax platform.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d8cc
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070383-2025
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

75 - Administration, defence and social security services


CPV Codes

75220000 - Defence services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
£1,250,000,000 £1B-£10B
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Nov 20253 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
3 Nov 20253 months ago
Contract Period
1 Jan 2028 - 31 Mar 2033 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
Andrew Taylor
Contact Email
des-leliosmultiusermailbox@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

GENERAL DYNAMICS UNITED KINGDOM

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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