Planning

RFI-0071 The Target Acquisition, Localisation & Operational Neutralisation of UAS

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

03 Mar 2026 at 13:36

Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence is seeking expertise for its upcoming project titled "RFI-0071 The Target Acquisition, Localisation & Operational Neutralisation of UAS," focusing on the maritime air defence radar industry. This planning stage procurement process, initiated by the Ministry, is key for enhancing their counter UAV capabilities on maritime platforms. The engagement phase has been scheduled, with a milestone deadline set for 17th March 2026. Businesses can benefit from this opportunity, as it is located in Portsmouth, UK, within the central government category. The procurement will transition to the next stage with a future notice expected by 18th March 2026, and the contract is anticipated to commence from 20th March 2026.

This tender represents substantial growth opportunities for enterprises, particularly those specialising in defence technology and the rapid deployment of air defence systems. The process encourages competition among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and voluntary, community, and social enterprises (VCSEs), aiding in sector diversification and offering a platform for innovative solutions. Engaging in this contract allows businesses to forge strategic relationships with the Ministry of Defence, potentially leading to future collaborations and opening doors to supply advanced technological solutions in the defence sector.

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

Notice Title

RFI-0071 The Target Acquisition, Localisation & Operational Neutralisation of UAS

Notice Description

The Royal Navy requires a rapidly procured and installable Counter UAS capability suitable for maritime platforms to detect, track, identify, and defeat airborne threats.

Planning Information

For full details, please see the attached document at this link: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/96ef0145-f441-4a38-a8af-0ac0c5aae723

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0660dd
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018941-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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


CPV Codes

35723000 - Air defence radar

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
3 Mar 20261 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
18 Mar 2026Expired
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
20 Mar 2026 - 20 Mar 2026 24 hours
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
Contact Name
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Email
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →
Contact Phone
Available with D3 Tenders Premium →

Buyer Location

Locality
PORTSMOUTH
Postcode
PO2 8BY
Post Town
Portsmouth
Country
England

Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ3 Hampshire and Isle of Wight
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ31 Portsmouth
Delivery Location
Not specified

Local Authority
Portsmouth
Electoral Ward
Nelson
Westminster Constituency
Portsmouth North

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-0660dd-2026-03-03T13:36:49Z",
    "date": "2026-03-03T13:36:49Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-0660dd",
    "initiationType": "tender",
    "parties": [
        {
            "id": "GB-PPON-PHVX-4316-ZVGZ",
            "name": "Ministry of Defence",
            "identifier": {
                "scheme": "GB-PPON",
                "id": "PHVX-4316-ZVGZ"
            },
            "address": {
                "streetAddress": "WHALE ISLAND",
                "locality": "PORTSMOUTH",
                "postalCode": "PO2 8BY",
                "country": "GB",
                "countryName": "United Kingdom",
                "region": "UKJ31"
            },
            "contactPoint": {
                "email": "navycomrcl-rfi@mod.gov.uk"
            },
            "roles": [
                "buyer"
            ],
            "details": {
                "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence",
                "classifications": [
                    {
                        "id": "publicAuthorityCentralGovernment",
                        "scheme": "UK_CA_TYPE",
                        "description": "Public authority - central government"
                    }
                ]
            }
        }
    ],
    "buyer": {
        "id": "GB-PPON-PHVX-4316-ZVGZ",
        "name": "Ministry of Defence"
    },
    "planning": {
        "milestones": [
            {
                "id": "engagement",
                "type": "engagement",
                "description": "For full details, please see the attached document at this link: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/96ef0145-f441-4a38-a8af-0ac0c5aae723",
                "dueDate": "2026-03-17T23:59:59+00:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "018941-2026",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/018941-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-03-03T13:36:49Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-0660dd",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "RFI-0071 The Target Acquisition, Localisation & Operational Neutralisation of UAS",
        "description": "The Royal Navy requires a rapidly procured and installable Counter UAS capability suitable for maritime platforms to detect, track, identify, and defeat airborne threats.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "35723000",
                        "description": "Air defence radar"
                    }
                ],
                "relatedLot": "1"
            }
        ],
        "mainProcurementCategory": "goods",
        "aboveThreshold": false,
        "lots": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "suitability": {
                    "sme": true,
                    "vcse": true
                },
                "contractPeriod": {
                    "startDate": "2026-03-20T00:00:00+00:00",
                    "endDate": "2026-03-20T23:59:59+00:00"
                },
                "status": "planning"
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2026-03-18T23:59:59+00:00"
        },
        "status": "planning"
    },
    "language": "en"
}