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715928480-CUAS Exploration

Ministry of Defence

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Tender

02 Sep 2026 at 14:22

UK4 - Tender Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence is seeking research and development services for an integrated counter-uncrewed-aircraft system (C-UAS) to protect deployed troops and defence fixed infrastructure. The requirement focuses on detecting, tracking, identifying, deciding on and defeating mass or low-cost aerial threats, particularly representative Class 1 uncrewed aircraft and related small threats. The preferred approach uses a laser directed-energy weapon, although credible novel alternatives are welcome. The Phase 1 aim is to accelerate existing technology towards a deployable system rather than procure a complete operational capability. The solution should operate autonomously on an Army vehicle, use open architectures, platform-generated power and modular design, and support future integration with an uncrewed ground vehicle. Delivery is for Army and wider defence applications.

The procurement has reached tender: the Ministry of Defence invited offers through a selective competitive flexible procedure using its Commercial X Dynamic Market, with an accelerated process. Stage 1 is a capability assessment requiring an evidence-based programme plan; successful suppliers may progress to Stage 2, where proposals are developed into fully costed projects lasting six months. The expression-of-interest deadline was 23 September 2026 at 12:00 BST. The anticipated award date is 3 December 2026, with the Stage 2 contract period running from 3 December 2026 to 31 May 2027. The estimated value is £125,000,000 excluding VAT, or £150,000,000 including VAT. Evaluation is quality 70% and price 30%; later technical and commercial weightings may fall within 60–80% and 20–40%.

This opportunity suits defence technology companies, research organisations and industrial partners with existing counter-UAS, directed-energy, air-defence or other credible novel technologies that can be accelerated through development and demonstration. Strong candidates will be able to produce an evidence-based route from current technology towards a deployable, autonomous system mounted on an Army vehicle, supported by modelling, analysis, testing and practical demonstrations. Relevant capability includes handling single, repeated, sequential and simultaneous small-aircraft threats, including saturation attacks intended to overwhelm local defences or deplete expensive munitions. Suppliers should be able to work with open architectures, modular designs and platform-generated power, and show a scalable pathway to future Army and joint ground-based air-defence systems. The programme also considers future export potential.

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Notice Information

Notice Title

715928480-CUAS Exploration

Notice Description

Defence seeks additional capacity to detect, track, identify, decide and defeat mass and low-cost threats in a cost-effective manner and without being overwhelmed or exhausting stockpiles. This is particularly acute for deployed land forces, but the problem is applicable to the protection of defence fixed infrastructure in the homeland. Current approaches are constrained by limited magazine depth, high cost-per-engagement, limited manoeuvrability, workforce intensity and the difficulty of adapting capabilities at pace as UAS threats evolve. Based on research, the Authority is particularly interested in capabilities centred on Laser Directed Energy Weapon (LDEW) effectors but is open to submissions relating to credible alternative novel approaches. The scope of Phase 1 is to identify and support organisations to accelerate development of their existing technology towards a final deployable system. It is not intended for the Phase 1 competition to seek delivery of a complete operational C-UAS system. Over later Phases, the Authority's intent, aligned with their Integrated Procurement Model, is to identify and rapidly mature promising technologies as demonstrable Minimum Viable Products (MVPs). The Authority may then, at its discretion (and the criteria detailed below) select projects to be iteratively developed, integrated and proven as Minimum Deployable Capabilities (MDCs) for an initial operational user group. Capabilities that demonstrate operational benefit may subsequently be developed further for wider adoption as part of a future Programme of Record. Suppliers will be notified of the criteria, selection processes, and competition format as these Phases arise. To address the challenge described above we are looking to deliver an integrated C-UAS force-protection capability capable of autonomous operation, mounted on an Army vehicle. The capability should protect deployed troops against complex and saturation attacks designed to overwhelm existing defences or deplete conventional munition stocks. It should deliver more affordable combat mass against emerging air threats than legacy systems, and should exploit open architectures, platform-generated power, modular design and capable of autonomous operation. The initial threat focus is representative Class 1 UAS and related small aerial threats, including single, repeated, sequential and simultaneous threat profiles. This includes threats intended to disrupt operations, conduct surveillance, target fixed or mobile assets, overwhelm local defences or force the disproportionate use of high-cost munitions. Integration of the capability onto a future uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) is a planned objective. The solution should provide a scalable pathway towards future Army and Joint Ground-Based Air Defence (GBAD) capabilities as well as considering possible export opportunities.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06f06f
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/083090-2026
Current Stage
Tender
All Stages
Tender

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK4 - Tender Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Selective
Procurement Method Details
Competitive flexible procedure
Tender Suitability
Not specified
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

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

73 - Research and development services and related consultancy services

CPV Codes

35300000 - Weapons, ammunition and associated parts

73110000 - Research services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
£125,000,000 £100M-£1B
Lots Value
£125,000,000 £100M-£1B
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
2 Sep 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
3 Dec 2026 - 31 May 2027 1-6 months
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Active
Lots Status
Active
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
LONDON
Postcode
SW1A 2EU
Postcode Area
South West London
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLI London
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLI3 Inner London - West
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLI35 Westminster and City of London
Delivery Location
Not specified
Local Authority
Westminster
Electoral Ward
St James's
Westminster Constituency
Cities of London and Westminster

Further Information

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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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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