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Provision of Pilot and Aircraft services for the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

25 Jun 2026 at 13:20

UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence is planning a procurement process for the provision of pilot and aircraft services for the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team. This planned procurement notice, published on 25th June 2026, outlines a requirement to commence on 1st March 2027 and conclude on 28th February 2030. Located in High Wycombe, United Kingdom, the contract will cover services for training and display seasons, which will run from March to October annually. The process is currently at the planning stage and will use an open procurement method. Interested parties should note the tender period concludes on 16th November 2026, with award decisions expected by 11th January 2027. The services fall within the services category and involve the hire of aircraft with crew.

This tender offers significant growth opportunities for businesses specialising in aviation services, particularly those experienced in providing specialist support for military parachuting activities. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to participate, as the tender is structured to support their involvement. Businesses with expertise in meeting military standards for freefall parachute dispatches and the capability to provide necessary fire and crash cover will be well-suited to compete. The contract's projected total value is approximately £1,555,968, making it an attractive proposition for companies looking to expand their portfolio in government contracts.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Provision of Pilot and Aircraft services for the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team

Notice Description

Please note this is not a call for competition, this is a Planned Procurement Notice - the PROVISION OF UK BASED LIGHT AIRCRAFT FOR THE DELIVERY OF RAF FALCONS PARACHUTING ACTIVITY The proposed contract commencing 1st March 2027 to 28th February 2030 with seasons/training from 1st Mar to 31st OCT i. A light aircraft (ac), 1 x full time pilot and associated support enablers to deliver up to 130 flying hours per year to enable RAF Falcons Parachute Activity (FPA), in order to meet the training demand for and delivery of the Parachute Display Seasons. ii. A Light ac capable of meeting extant Release-to-Service (RTS) requirements for the dispatch of military Freefall (FF) manually deployed parachutes, detailed in the Compendium of Airborne Equipment Release Certificates (CAERC) and confirmed by Trials & Evaluation (T&E) undertaken by the Joint Aerial Delivery Test and Evaluation Unit Parachute Test Team (JADTEU PTT). iii. As required by the Authority, up to 90 Fire and Crash Cover (FCC) hours (30 per season). Provision of tender and support vehicles, associated crash equipment and extinguishing consumables and provision of a suitably qualified and experienced FCC crews. The Contractor will be required to plan and coordinate FCC accordingly. The Contractor will be responsible for determining the suitability of all operating a/f and that such facilities allow the appropriate level of crash cover iaw ICAO / DSA02 and DSA03 for light ac. To establish supplier interest for this potential requirement please contact Simon.bratchell643@mod.gov.uk to register your interest. You must not take this Planned Procurement Notice to mean confirmation that the Authority shall award a contract for this requirement. The Authority is publishing this announcement without any commitment to issue a tender or place a contract. Accordingly, any expenditure, work or effort undertaken before contract award is a matter solely for the commercial judgement of potential suppliers.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06bd2d
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/059889-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Open
Procurement Method Details
Open procedure
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport)

CPV Codes

60424100 - Hire of aircraft with crew

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,555,968 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
£1,555,968 £1M-£10M
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
25 Jun 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
16 Nov 20265 months to go
Future Notice Date
14 Oct 20264 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Mar 2027 - 28 Feb 2030 3-4 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
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
HIGH WYCOMBE
Postcode
HP14 4UE
Post Town
Hemel Hempstead
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLJ South East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLJ1 Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLJ13 Buckinghamshire
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Buckinghamshire
Electoral Ward
Ridgeway West
Westminster Constituency
Mid Buckinghamshire

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

JSON Markdown

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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