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Satellite Communications (SATCOM) for Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Platforms

Ministry of Defence

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

19 Oct 2026 at 17:31

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Ministry of Defence is exploring secure satellite communications for uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) operations. The requirement concerns low size, weight and power (SWaP) satellite communications equipment to provide beyond-line-of-sight connectivity, allowing data to pass between UAVs and ground-based operators. The authority wants to understand solutions’ capabilities and maturity, and how they could be integrated into UAV platforms. The equipment is intended for defence operations; the procurement data does not identify a delivery location. The work is categorised as goods and covers satellite communications equipment and its use on uncrewed aircraft. This is an early-stage assessment of technology and feasibility, rather than a defined supply contract.

The process is at planning stage. The Ministry of Defence is conducting voluntary preliminary market engagement to gather information; this is not a procurement or invitation to tender, and responses will not be used to select or shortlist suppliers. Suppliers are asked to provide information through a questionnaire, and the authority may invite participants to follow-up discussions. Expressions of interest to receive the Request for Information were requested by 26 October 2026. The engagement milestone is listed with a due date of 11 December 2026. The lot records a planned contract period on 1 April 2027. No procedure or evaluation basis for a future competition is established here; any later procurement would be a separate process. The engagement seeks information on potential commercial structures, not bids or priced offers.

The engagement is relevant to defence suppliers, small and medium-sized businesses, and commercial satellite communications providers with solutions suited to UAV platforms. Suppliers are best placed to contribute if they can explain low-SWaP SATCOM capability and maturity, secure beyond-line-of-sight connectivity, and the practical considerations involved in integrating equipment with uncrewed aircraft. The authority is also seeking evidence and views on performance, navigation, deployment, interoperability, compliance and ongoing supportability. Commercial models and innovative approaches are relevant, as the buyer is considering how future capability could be developed. This engagement offers a chance to inform the authority’s understanding of available technology and integration challenges before any separate procurement is defined. No particular accreditation or minimum delivery capacity is stated.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Satellite Communications (SATCOM) for Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Platforms

Notice Description

The Authority is undertaking Preliminary Market Engagement to understand the availability, maturity and feasibility of Satellite Communications (SATCOM) provide secure Beyond Line-of-Sight (BLoS) connectivity for Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) operations, enabling data exchange between the UAV and ground-based operators. This activity is conducted in accordance with the Procurement Act 2023 (Sections 16-17) and is for information gathering only. It does not form part of a formal tendering process and will not be used for supplier selection or down-selection. Participation is voluntary. All communication related to this notice and form submission is at OFFICIAL. Suppliers are invited to complete the following questionnaire to provide information on system capabilities, performance, navigation, deployment, interoperability, compliance, supportability and indicative commercial structures. By submitting a response, suppliers confirm that all information provided is, to the best of their knowledge, true, complete and accurate. The Authority may invite suppliers to follow-on discussions where appropriate. Any future procurement activity will be conducted as a separate procurement process.

Planning Information

The UK MOD is seeking information from suppliers capable of providing low SWaP Satellite Communications (SATCOM) solutions for Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle (UAV) platforms. This preliminary market engagement is intended to improve our understanding of available technologies, integration considerations, commercial models and potential future capability development. We welcome responses from defence suppliers, SMEs and commercial SATCOM providers with relevant solutions or innovative approaches. To receive the Request for Information (RFI), please contact: Danielle Daley danielle.daley117@mod.gov.uk Expressions of interest are requested by 26 October 2026. Please note this is a market engagement activity only and does not constitute a procurement or invitation to tender.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078b3e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/098697-2026
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

32 - Radio, television, communication, telecommunication and related equipment

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

CPV Codes

32530000 - Satellite-related communications equipment

32531000 - Satellite communications equipment

35613000 - Unmanned aerial vehicles

35613100 - Unmanned combat 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
19 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
1 Apr 2027 - 1 Apr 2027 24 hours
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
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

Notice Documents

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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