Award

Ask AI about this notice

Summarise, research or assess it with AI

View Markdown

Share this notice

Send this contract to a colleague

STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE & RECONNAISSANCE SPECIAL MISSIONS AIRCRAFT MANAGED SERVICE

Home Office

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

AwardUpdate

20 Oct 2026 at 12:32

Award Notice
Summary of the contracting process

The Home Office procured a managed service using special-mission aircraft for strategic intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). The requirement centres on operating piloted, fixed-wing aircraft, including maritime patrol aircraft, to support the UK’s intelligence and surveillance activities. The service is delivered in the United Kingdom. The procurement concerns the continuing provision of this existing operational service, rather than a change to its nature or scope: the latest contract variation extends the service on existing terms. This is a specialist aviation and operational-services requirement, not simply the purchase of aircraft. Suppliers relevant to this work would need to provide the aircraft and managed service needed to carry out the specified ISR special missions for the Home Office.

The procurement has been awarded to PAL Aerospace Ltd, and the contract is active. It was signed on 29 October 2024, with a contract period recorded through 31 March 2027. The contract value is £68,908,242.15. Variation 003 extends the existing service for four months, from 1 December 2026 to 31 March 2027, at an additional £9,903,292 excluding VAT, on the existing contractual terms. The buyer states that the extension maintains service continuity after a legal challenge to the replacement-service procurement suspended its award and delayed mobilisation. Earlier variations included one with no cost implication and another extension valued at £25,233,590.25. The procurement is one lot; no award evaluation basis or procurement method is stated in the available process details.

This award demonstrates Home Office demand for a managed special-mission aircraft service combining aviation provision with the operational delivery of strategic intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. A credible competitor for a similar requirement would need to show that it can provide and manage piloted fixed-wing aircraft for ISR missions, including maritime patrol activity, and sustain service delivery across the United Kingdom. The continuation on existing terms indicates the importance of operational continuity while a replacement service is mobilised. Suppliers would therefore need relevant aircraft and mission-service capability, as well as the capacity to maintain dependable operations through a contract transition. The award does not identify specific accreditations, staffing requirements or technical standards, so these should not be assumed.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE & RECONNAISSANCE SPECIAL MISSIONS AIRCRAFT MANAGED SERVICE

Notice Description

Lot Information

STRATEGIC INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE & RECONNAISSANCE SPECIAL MISSIONS AIRCRAFT MANAGED SERVICE

Provision of the Strategic Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Special Missions Aircraft Managed Service. The modification provides for a four-month continuation of the existing service from 1 December 2026 to 31 March 2027 on existing contractual terms. The modification does not change the nature or scope of the services provided.

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-078bc0
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/098961-2026
Current Stage
Award
All Stages
Award

Procurement Classification

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

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

34 - Transport equipment and auxiliary products to transportation

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

CPV Codes

34711110 - Fixed-wing aircrafts

34711300 - Piloted aircraft

35611600 - Maritime patrol aircrafts

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
£68,908,242 £10M-£100M

Notice Dates

Publication Date
20 Oct 20261 weeks ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
Not specified
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
29 Oct 2024 - 31 Mar 2027 2-3 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Not Specified
Lots Status
Not Specified
Awards Status
Active
Contracts Status
Active

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
Home Office
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
SW1P 4DF
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

Supplier Information

Number of Suppliers
1
Supplier Name

PAL Aerospace Ltd

Further Information

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...