Tender

Project Beehive - USV (Unmanned Surface Vessel) and GCS (Ground Control System) Procurement

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Tender

15 Dec 2025 at 14:38

Planning

05 Nov 2025 at 17:03

Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence is currently inviting tenders for "Project Beehive" aimed at procuring Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) and Ground Control Systems (GCS) for the Royal Navy. This procurement is categorised within the defence and security sector, with a focus on amphibious crafts and military vehicles, specifically for operations and development in the South and South West regions of the United Kingdom. The procurement process is in the tender stage, with key dates including the expression of interest deadline set for 13th January 2026 and an award period ending on 16th February 2026. Utilising a selective and competitive flexible procedure, this tender offers a two-stage assessment process to ensure supplier capability and solution maturity.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities, particularly for suppliers specialising in defence technologies and military vehicle production, with a gross budget of up to £12.3 million for goods above the procurement threshold. The Royal Navy's requirement for open-architecture systems indicates potential for ongoing technological partnerships and innovation, making it an attractive prospect for companies capable of providing engineering support and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) integration. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs) are encouraged to compete, suggesting diverse opportunities across the defence innovation sector.

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Notice Title

Project Beehive - USV (Unmanned Surface Vessel) and GCS (Ground Control System) Procurement

Notice Description

The Royal Navy requires A fleet of 20 Uncrewed Surface Vessel orUSVs for SURFLOT, these platforms will be utilised for training, Tactic Development, Warfare Development, Capability Development, and operations in the UK Are of Responsibility and beyond. This project is to be a spiral development, with the initial platform requirement of USV's to be TRL 4/5, with open architecture for future development, this capability is key to maintaining operational relevance against peer threats. The Hybrid Navy transition will require development and testing of new technologies and whilst much of this work will be conducted by Navy Development, Disruptive capabilities, and technology officer, the SURFLOT Fleet of USVs will act as test beds to provide Learning from experience. Engineering support for OEM integration of spiral capabilities will be considered as part of the bid process. Works of this Project will have a focus on the South, South west regions.

Planning Information

This Project will be placed using Commercial X’s Dynamic market, using the competitive flexible procedure, suppliers must on board onboard to proceed with this project. Please ensure that you onboard to the Commercial X Dynamic Market to participate.

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-05db5c
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/082960-2025
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Planning, Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME, VCSE
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

35511400 - Amphibious crafts and ships

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£10,250,000 £10M-£100M
Lots Value
£10,250,000 £10M-£100M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
15 Dec 20252 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
10 Nov 2025Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
16 Feb 2026 - 31 Mar 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Contact Name
James Martin / Ross Waddington
Contact Email
james.martin285@mod.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
WHITEHALL. LONDON
Postcode
SW1A 2EU
Post Town
South West London
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

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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