Planning

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

PST/05904 - Ground Training Aids at RNSFDO - F-35 Full Scale Replicas

Ministry of Defence

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

05 Aug 2026 at 14:54

UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence intends to procure a purpose-built F-35 ground training aid for the Royal Naval School of Flight Deck Operations in Portsmouth. The equipment will be a full-scale replica representing the F-35 aircraft, including its dimensions, configuration and handling characteristics. It is intended to support safe, effective aircraft-handling and flight-deck training for personnel working with Royal Navy aviation-capable platforms. The aid will allow trainees to develop and rehearse critical ground-movement skills in a controlled environment before handling live aircraft. This is a goods procurement for training aids and devices, focused on realistic, hands-on preparation and reducing the operational and financial risks associated with aircraft movement on flight decks.

This procurement is at the planning stage: the Ministry of Defence has announced an intention to procure, rather than invited tenders. The planned procedure is for a single lot, with the contract expected to run from 1 January 2027 to 1 January 2028. The estimated value is £1.6 million excluding VAT and £2 million including VAT. The buyer expects the next notice to be published by 30 November 2026. The lot is planned and is identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises. The procurement is for goods, with the stated requirement centred on supplying a dedicated F-35 full-scale replica ground training aid for Royal Naval flight-deck operations training.

The work will suit manufacturers and specialist suppliers able to design and produce large, purpose-built aircraft training equipment for military or aviation use. Relevant strengths include accurate full-scale replication, engineering control of dimensions and configuration, and the ability to reproduce the handling characteristics needed for realistic ground movement practice. Suppliers should be prepared to demonstrate that their equipment can support controlled, hands-on training and reflect the aircraft routinely used in Royal Navy aviation-capable platforms. The requirement is specifically identified as suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises, so businesses of that scale with specialist design, fabrication, systems integration or defence-training experience may wish to monitor its development and prepare for the later procurement stage.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

PST/05904 - Ground Training Aids at RNSFDO - F-35 Full Scale Replicas

Notice Description

The Royal Naval School of Flight Deck Operations' (RNSFDO) ability to deliver safe, effective aircraft handling and Flight Deck training is fundamentally dependent on access to modern, representative training aids. Dedicated F-35 Ground Training Aids (GTAs) are essential to ensure training remains current, realistic, and aligned with the aircraft routinely embarked in Royal Navy aviation-capable platforms. The value of realistic, hands-on training is particularly relevant given the significant operational and financial risks associated with aircraft movement on the Flight Deck. The procurement of a purpose-built F-35 Ground Training Aid (GTA) would significantly enhance RNSFDO's ability to deliver realistic, risk-reduced aircraft handling training. By providing a representative platform that accurately reflects the dimensions, configuration, and handling characteristics of the operational aircraft, personnel would be able to develop and rehearse critical ground movement skills in a controlled environment before working with live assets.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06dc98
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/074271-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK1 - Pipeline Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Goods
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

39 - Furniture (incl. office furniture), furnishings, domestic appliances (excl. lighting) and cleaning products

CPV Codes

39162200 - Training aids and devices

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£1,600,000 £1M-£10M
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
5 Aug 20262 months ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
30 Nov 20262 months to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Jan 2027 - 1 Jan 2028 1-2 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
PORTSMOUTH
Postcode
PO2 8BY
Postcode Area
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

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.

Loading OCDS record...