Planning

Project GRAYBURN: Defence replacement of SA80 family of rifles - Concept Stage

DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

13 Jan 2026 at 17:35

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Defence Equipment and Support organisation, a central government public authority under the UK Ministry of Defence, is in the planning stage for the procurement process titled "Project GRAYBURN: Defence replacement of SA80 family of rifles - Concept Stage." This project focuses on replacing the existing SA80 family of rifles with improved variants. The procurement method is a competitive flexible procedure, suitable for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and falls under the defence and security regime, primarily concerning goods like weapons, ammunition, and related parts. The contract is set to commence on 1st April 2028 and conclude by 31st March 2045, with the manufacturing of rifles intended to take place in the UK. A further notice is expected to be issued on 14th January 2026, providing additional details to potential bidders.

This tender offers considerable opportunities for businesses involved in the weapons and defence manufacturing sector, particularly those with capabilities in producing high-reliability firearms and related components. Businesses that can establish a strategic partnership with the Defence Equipment and Support & UK manufacturing facilities will have the potential for growth in employment and export platforms. The focus on innovation for surveillance, target acquisition, and adherence to emerging standards for reliability and signature reduction will appeal to enterprises that specialise in the integration of cutting-edge technologies within arms manufacturing. This project seeks to provide a platform for export opportunities, making it attractive for businesses aiming to expand their reach beyond national borders.

Find more tenders on our Open Data Platform.
How relevant is this notice?

D3 Tenders Premium

Win More Public Sector Contracts

AI-powered tender discovery, pipeline management, and market intelligence — everything you need to grow your public sector business.

Start Free Trial Book a Demo
All Features Pricing

Notice Information

Notice Title

Project GRAYBURN: Defence replacement of SA80 family of rifles - Concept Stage

Notice Description

Defence Equipment & Support the procurement arm of the UK Ministry of Defence, the Lethality and Protect, Gunnery Systems and Munitions, Dismounted Close Combat Team wishes to update industry on Pj GRAYBURN. No investment decisions have been taken yet. However, following direction from the Joint Requirements Oversight Committee, Pj GRAYBURN will focus on consideration of the following high-level characteristics: 1. UK manufacture - It is the Authority's intention that Pj GRAYBURN will be manufactured in the UK to enhance sovereign supply chains, generate employment, and provide a platform for exports. 2. Strategic supplier - The Authority is to consider establishing a strategic relationship to deliver, manage, spirally develop and support the weapons portfolio for Pj GRAYBURN systems, and in time, perhaps parts of/all the wider dismounted close combat weapons portfolio. 3. Variants - Pj GRAYBURN will deliver 5 distinct variants, most likely based upon a common lower receiver. a. Dismounted Close Combat (replacing SA80A3). b. Dismounted Close Combat (short) (replacing SA80A3). c. Personal Defence Weapon (replacing L22 Carbine). d. Generalist (replacing SA80A2). e. Cadet rifle (replacing L98 Cadet GP rifle). (There remains potential to combine the DCC (Short) requirement into either the DCC or Personal Defence Weapon variant). 4. Adversary target armour - Pj GRAYBURN will look to provide sufficient lethality to defeat current and emerging body armour. 5. Surveillance and Target Acquisition - Pj GRAYBURN weapons will be fitted with day-optics and have the ability to quickly integrate with in-line night vision optics. 6. Pj GRAYBURN will seek to employ signature reduction technology on some variants. 7. Reliability - Pj GRAYBURN will deliver a highly reliable rifle, operable in all environments and climatic conditions. The Authority will seek to engage industry in approach to Pj Grayburn in due course, and a further information notice will be released at that time.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-060525
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002873-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

CPV Codes

35300000 - Weapons, ammunition and associated parts

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
13 Jan 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
14 Jan 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Mar 2028 - 31 Mar 2045 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
DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
des-landp2dcccommercialteam@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

Download

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. 

{
    "tag": [
        "compiled"
    ],
    "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-060525-2026-01-13T17:35:42Z",
    "date": "2026-01-13T17:35:42Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-060525",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "planning": {
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "002873-2026",
                "documentType": "plannedProcurementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK1",
                "description": "Pipeline notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002873-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-01-13T17:35:42Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PVRL-5831-GLMM",
            "name": "Defence Equipment and Support",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PVRL-5831-GLMM"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "MOD Abbey Wood",
                "locality": "Bristol",
                "postalCode": "BS34 8JH",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKK12"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "DES-LandP2DCCCommercialTeam@mod.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-equipment-and-support",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PVRL-5831-GLMM",
        "name": "Defence Equipment and Support"
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "715754451 - Project GRAYBURN: Defence replacement of SA80 family of rifles - Concept Stage",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Project GRAYBURN: Defence replacement of SA80 family of rifles - Concept Stage",
        "description": "Defence Equipment & Support the procurement arm of the UK Ministry of Defence, the Lethality and Protect, Gunnery Systems and Munitions, Dismounted Close Combat Team wishes to update industry on Pj GRAYBURN. No investment decisions have been taken yet. However, following direction from the Joint Requirements Oversight Committee, Pj GRAYBURN will focus on consideration of the following high-level characteristics: 1. UK manufacture - It is the Authority's intention that Pj GRAYBURN will be manufactured in the UK to enhance sovereign supply chains, generate employment, and provide a platform for exports. 2. Strategic supplier - The Authority is to consider establishing a strategic relationship to deliver, manage, spirally develop and support the weapons portfolio for Pj GRAYBURN systems, and in time, perhaps parts of/all the wider dismounted close combat weapons portfolio. 3. Variants - Pj GRAYBURN will deliver 5 distinct variants, most likely based upon a common lower receiver. a. Dismounted Close Combat (replacing SA80A3). b. Dismounted Close Combat (short) (replacing SA80A3). c. Personal Defence Weapon (replacing L22 Carbine). d. Generalist (replacing SA80A2). e. Cadet rifle (replacing L98 Cadet GP rifle). (There remains potential to combine the DCC (Short) requirement into either the DCC or Personal Defence Weapon variant). 4. Adversary target armour - Pj GRAYBURN will look to provide sufficient lethality to defeat current and emerging body armour. 5. Surveillance and Target Acquisition - Pj GRAYBURN weapons will be fitted with day-optics and have the ability to quickly integrate with in-line night vision optics. 6. Pj GRAYBURN will seek to employ signature reduction technology on some variants. 7. Reliability - Pj GRAYBURN will deliver a highly reliable rifle, operable in all environments and climatic conditions. The Authority will seek to engage industry in approach to Pj Grayburn in due course, and a further information notice will be released at that time.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "35300000",
                        "description": "Weapons, ammunition and associated parts"
                    }
                ],
                "deliveryAddresses": [
                    {
                        "region": "UK",
                        "country": "GB",
                        "countryName": "United Kingdom"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "procurementMethodDetails": "Competitive flexible procedure",
        "mainProcurementCategory": "goods",
        "specialRegime": [
            "defenceSecurity"
        ],
        "aboveThreshold": true,
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2028-04-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2045-03-31T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "status": "planned"
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2026-01-14T23:59:59+00:00"
        },
        "status": "planned"
    },
    "language": "en"
}