Planning

Procurement of Magnetrons for the In Service Capability Support of I-Band Transponders - UK1

DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT

This public procurement record has 2 releases in its history.

Planning

30 Mar 2026 at 13:36

Planning

19 Feb 2026 at 15:36

Summary of the contracting process

Defence Equipment and Support, a public authority within the UK Ministry of Defence, is in the planning stage of procuring magnetrons required for supporting I-Band Transponders on Merlin and Wildcat platforms. This procurement, labelled as "Procurement of Magnetrons for the In Service Capability Support of I-Band Transponders - UK1", falls under the industry category of electronic and electrical spare parts for military aerospace equipment. The procurement is set to take place through an open procedure with interested suppliers expressing their engagement by 15 May 2026, ahead of the expected contract start date on 2 November 2026 at Deeside, United Kingdom. The planned procurement notice was published on 30 March 2026, with a future notice expected by 1 October 2026.

This tender presents significant opportunities for businesses specialising in manufacturing electronic components and military equipment, especially SMEs, due to its open procedure allowing wider participation. Companies adept at producing intricate and bespoke electronic parts, like the magnetrons, will find this opportunity aligns well with their capabilities, further encouraged by the substantial contract value of £2,796,000 gross (£2,330,000 net). Continued support through a new procurement route offers prospects for sustained business growth over the contract period, particularly appealing to firms with experience in aerospace defence and existing networks in the UK and internationally.

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Notice Title

Procurement of Magnetrons for the In Service Capability Support of I-Band Transponders - UK1

Notice Description

DE&S Deca, on behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has a requirement to purchase Magnetrons (NSN 5960-99-1187834) for the In Service Capability Support of I-Band Transponders fitted to Merlin and Wildcat platforms. The Magnetron is solely manufactured by the company MPD Components (Manufacturers Part No: MA2829) in the USA and is of a bespoke design for the I-Band Transponder. The requirement is currently provided by the DE&S Commodities Consumables contract but will require continued support via a new procurement route.

Planning Information

RFI Document attached to the opportunity linked to this notice in DSP. All expressions of interest are to follow RFI instruction. https://contracts.mod.uk/esop/guest/go/opportunity/detail?opportunityId=60931

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06586e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/029154-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

35642000 - Electronic and electrical spare parts for military aerospace equipment

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£2,330,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
30 Mar 20263 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Oct 20266 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
2 Nov 2026 - 1 Nov 2028 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planned
Lots Status
Planned
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT
Additional Buyers

DE&S DECA

Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
DEESIDE
Postcode
CH5 2LS
Post Town
Chester
Country
Wales

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLL Wales
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLL3 North Wales
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLL34 Flintshire and Wrexham
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Flintshire
Electoral Ward
Queensferry and Sealand
Westminster Constituency
Alyn and Deeside

Further Information

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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