Planning

RFI - PROJECT HORUS

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

19 Mar 2026 at 10:04

Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence is currently in the planning stage of its procurement process for "RFI - PROJECT HORUS," aiming to develop a rapid and persistent air search capability for maritime platforms. This project falls under the goods category and involves air defence radar technologies, highlighting its focus on defence and security within the industry category. Located in Portsmouth, United Kingdom, the ministry has scheduled preliminary market engagement activities with a due date on 31st March 2026. Interested parties should prepare for subsequent stages, including tenders expected to be announced soon after April 1st, 2026.

This tender presents opportunities for businesses specialising in defence technologies, particularly those capable of delivering air search capabilities for tracking airborne threats such as cruise missiles and unmanned aerial systems. With suitability for SMEs and VCSEs, the procurement method is designed to cater to diverse business sizes seeking growth through collaboration with the central government. Companies with expertise in maritime platform integration and air defence systems can compete effectively, offering innovative solutions to satisfy the project's requirements and expand their market presence.

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

Notice Title

RFI - PROJECT HORUS

Notice Description

The Royal Navy requires a rapidly procured and persistent air search capability, suitable for maritime platforms to host on board to detect, track, identify, and report airborne threats. This covers UAS, FGA/FBA and cruise missiles.

Planning Information

For full details please see the attached document at this link: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/43567236-d461-4242-a8a2-073fa1c9b9f1

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-066e7a
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024984-2026
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
19 Mar 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
1 Apr 20262 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 May 2026 - 2 Jun 2026 30 days
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-066e7a-2026-03-19T10:04:37Z",
    "date": "2026-03-19T10:04:37Z",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-066e7a",
    "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/43567236-d461-4242-a8a2-073fa1c9b9f1",
                "dueDate": "2026-03-31T23:59:59+01:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "024984-2026",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/024984-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-03-19T10:04:37Z",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-066e7a",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "RFI - PROJECT HORUS",
        "description": "The Royal Navy requires a rapidly procured and persistent air search capability, suitable for maritime platforms to host on board to detect, track, identify, and report airborne threats. This covers UAS, FGA/FBA and cruise missiles.",
        "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": "2026-06-01T00:00:00+01:00",
                    "endDate": "2026-06-02T23:59:59+01:00"
                },
                "status": "planning"
            }
        ],
        "communication": {
            "futureNoticeDate": "2026-04-01T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "status": "planning"
    },
    "language": "en"
}