Planning

Cost & Capability of Low-Cost Remotely Operated Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

20 Apr 2026 at 15:23

Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence, located in Portsmouth, UK, is initiating a procurement process focused on the Cost & Capability of Low-Cost Remotely Operated Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles. This procurement, categorised under the goods industry and dealing specifically with unmanned aerial vehicles (CPV: 35613000), is currently at the planning stage. Interested parties should note the milestone due date for market engagement, which is scheduled for the 5th of May, 2026. The opportunities presented are part of the Royal Navy's ambition to explore industry options for low-cost fixed-wing Class II UAS systems as mobile targets in naval exercises, supported by the legal basis of the UK's 2023 legislation.

This tender offers substantial opportunities for SMEs and VCSEs to showcase their capabilities in providing innovative low-cost options for uncrewed aerial systems. The procurement aims to expedite trials and experimentation by the Royal Navy, making it an attractive venture for businesses specialising in aerospace technology and defence equipment. The process envisages fostering business growth by facilitating engagement with central government procurement strategies, highlighted by the potential contract period starting from the 1st of June, 2026. Businesses with expertise in this niche have the chance to contribute to crucial naval exercises, thereby expanding their reach and developing strategic partnerships with the Ministry of Defence.

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

Notice Title

Cost & Capability of Low-Cost Remotely Operated Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle

Notice Description

The Royal Navy is keen to understand the industry options available for low cost fixed wing Class II UAS to be used as a mobile target in various Naval exercises. Acknowledging the global proliferation of these systems, the goal is to assess the specifications of low-cost options, to further expedite Royal Navy trials and experimentation.

Planning Information

For full details of this RFI, please see attached document at this link: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/af78cecb-2726-4470-8613-86e1809d3160

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-0686b8
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035794-2026
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

35613000 - Unmanned aerial vehicles

Notice Value(s)

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

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Apr 20264 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
6 May 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-0686b8-2026-04-20T16:23:36+01:00",
    "date": "2026-04-20T16:23:36+01:00",
    "ocid": "ocds-h6vhtk-0686b8",
    "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 of this RFI, please see attached document at this link: https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/af78cecb-2726-4470-8613-86e1809d3160",
                "dueDate": "2026-05-05T23:59:59+01:00",
                "status": "scheduled"
            }
        ],
        "documents": [
            {
                "id": "035794-2026",
                "documentType": "marketEngagementNotice",
                "noticeType": "UK2",
                "description": "Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender",
                "url": "https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/035794-2026",
                "datePublished": "2026-04-20T16:23:36+01:00",
                "format": "text/html"
            }
        ]
    },
    "tender": {
        "id": "ocds-h6vhtk-0686b8",
        "legalBasis": {
            "id": "2023/54",
            "scheme": "UKPGA",
            "uri": "https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents"
        },
        "title": "Cost & Capability of Low-Cost Remotely Operated Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle",
        "description": "The Royal Navy is keen to understand the industry options available for low cost fixed wing Class II UAS to be used as a mobile target in various Naval exercises. Acknowledging the global proliferation of these systems, the goal is to assess the specifications of low-cost options, to further expedite Royal Navy trials and experimentation.",
        "items": [
            {
                "id": "1",
                "additionalClassifications": [
                    {
                        "scheme": "CPV",
                        "id": "35613000",
                        "description": "Unmanned aerial vehicles"
                    }
                ],
                "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": "2026-05-06T23:59:59+01:00"
        },
        "status": "planning"
    },
    "language": "en"
}