--- title: "Fleet Helicopter Support Unit (FHSU) - Contracts Finder Opportunity Notice" ocid: "ocds-b5fd17-1cf73748-421a-496a-8e8c-e285d5d8fa3a" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-1cf73748-421a-496a-8e8c-e285d5d8fa3a" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-1cf73748-421a-496a-8e8c-e285d5d8fa3a.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-1cf73748-421a-496a-8e8c-e285d5d8fa3a.json" source: "Contracts Finder" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE" published: "2025-08-28" --- # Fleet Helicopter Support Unit (FHSU) - Contracts Finder Opportunity Notice Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-b5fd17-1cf73748-421a-496a-8e8c-e285d5d8fa3a [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-1cf73748-421a-496a-8e8c-e285d5d8fa3a) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-1cf73748-421a-496a-8e8c-e285d5d8fa3a.json) ## Summary The Ministry of Defence is currently in the tender stage of procuring a Fleet Helicopter Support Unit (FHSU) service, as per the Government Transparency Agenda. The opportunity, titled "Fleet Helicopter Support Unit (FHSU) - Contracts Finder Opportunity Notice", falls under the industry category "Support helicopters" with the CPV code 35612300 and is classified additionally under "Hire of helicopters with crew". The value of the tender is estimated between £50,000,000 and £70,000,000 GBP. The tender period ends on 5th July 2024, with the contract start date slated for 28th February 2025, running through to 31st March 2031. The selective procurement method involves a competitive procedure with negotiation and is particularly suitable for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The delivery addresses for the service span across various regions in the United Kingdom, including the North East, North West, Yorkshire and the Humber, East of England, South East, South West, Scotland, and Wales. This tender provides substantial business growth opportunities for firms operating in the aviation and defence sectors. Companies equipped with the ability to provide medium-lift rotary wing air systems, adept in point-to-point flights for both military and non-military personnel, stand to benefit most. Firms holding aviation safety certifications, such as the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA)/UK CAA Part 145 and Part M/Part CAMO approvals, may find themselves well-suited to meet the contract’s demanding requirements. Additionally, businesses with expertise in integrating air systems with civil and NATO maritime, land, and air communication can leverage this opportunity to expand their operations and establish long-term partnerships with the Ministry of Defence and Royal Navy. This could be an especially strategic venture for SMEs aiming to enhance their footprint in the government contracting market. ## Notice Contracts Finder Opportunity Notice - to accompany the publication of redacted tender documents in accordance with the Government Transparency Agenda. Background: The Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) Multi Helicopter Platforms (MHP) Project Delivery Team has a requirement for a contracted crewed capability that can provide a medium-lift Support Helicopter (SH) capability to meet Fleet Operational Standards and Training (FOST) and Navy Command (NC) requirements. The project has a security classification of Official Sensitive. Requirement: The requirement is to provide a contractor owned rotary wing Air System (AS) service for the Royal Navy (RN), providing point-to-point flights delivering military and non-military personnel to enable the conduct of operational sea training and supporting tasks, including transportation of freight. The service will be operated on a Military Registered Civil Operated Aircraft (MRCOA) contract basis. Please Note: The Authority requires the successful bidder to be ready to deliver an initial service to specified ships from 1 April 2026. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Contracts Finder | | Latest notice | https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1fd8872d-00f1-4ecf-90f3-5ffd92e28f0a | | Notice type | Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Services | | Procurement method | Selective | | Procurement method details | Competitive procedure with negotiation (above threshold) | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning, Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 28 Aug 2025 | | Submission deadline | 5 Jul 2024 | | Future notice date | 6 Jun 2022 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 28 Feb 2025 - 31 Mar 2031 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £70,000,000 | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Not specified | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | MINISTRY OF DEFENCE | | Locality | BRISTOL | | Post town | Bristol | | Postcode | BS34 8JH | | Country | England | | ITL 1 | TLK South West (England) | | ITL 2 | TLK5 West of England | | ITL 3 | TLK52 Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire | | Local authority | South Gloucestershire | | Electoral ward | Stoke Park & Cheswick | | Westminster constituency | Filton and Bradley Stoke | | Delivery location | TLC North East (England), TLD North West (England), TLE Yorkshire and The Humber, TLJ South East (England), TLK South West (England), TLL Wales, TLM Scotland | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment - 60 - Transport services (excl. Waste transport) ### Codes - 35612300 - Support helicopters - 60424120 - Hire of helicopters with crew ## Release History - 28 Aug 2025 at 11:51 - TenderAmendment - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1fd8872d-00f1-4ecf-90f3-5ffd92e28f0a - 30 May 2024 at 15:51 - TenderAmendment - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1fd8872d-00f1-4ecf-90f3-5ffd92e28f0a - 8 May 2024 at 16:10 - TenderAmendment - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1fd8872d-00f1-4ecf-90f3-5ffd92e28f0a - 8 May 2024 at 16:07 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1fd8872d-00f1-4ecf-90f3-5ffd92e28f0a - 20 Dec 2023 at 14:25 - TenderAmendment - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7ceadc97-c8ec-4b21-a1d7-5aec9f155771 - 29 Nov 2023 at 14:50 - Tender - Tender Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7ceadc97-c8ec-4b21-a1d7-5aec9f155771 - 1 Jun 2022 at 06:46 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/d8f695b8-1c7f-46b3-a55c-ad5a18084fe7 - 27 May 2022 at 11:56 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/e32b12bb-4d8c-4c2f-b294-4ac8f639437d - 25 May 2022 at 15:59 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/61da8875-5420-423c-9fc5-ed8a4cf8013f - 25 May 2022 at 15:56 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/68829ab2-dc2c-4ab7-b8ab-5e4924343ea3 - 24 May 2022 at 15:53 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8d251cba-5b4e-40b1-8693-a9eee67f2eeb - 16 May 2022 at 13:25 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7e60aeee-c1e4-4113-961b-3af77e05ad84 - 25 Apr 2022 at 20:06 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/11650d5f-a06a-48ac-b962-0cce57b5e139 - 25 Apr 2022 at 20:05 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/b973f9cd-6f9a-47fc-8461-b83611fe4f6b - 25 Apr 2022 at 11:22 - Planning - Market Engagement Notice - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/12c044e3-409e-4753-a2e3-82793e7afd73 ## Documents - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/1fd8872d-00f1-4ecf-90f3-5ffd92e28f0a 28th August 2025 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7ceadc97-c8ec-4b21-a1d7-5aec9f155771 20th December 2023 - Opportunity notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/d8f695b8-1c7f-46b3-a55c-ad5a18084fe7 1st June 2022 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/e32b12bb-4d8c-4c2f-b294-4ac8f639437d 27th May 2022 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/61da8875-5420-423c-9fc5-ed8a4cf8013f 25th May 2022 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/68829ab2-dc2c-4ab7-b8ab-5e4924343ea3 25th May 2022 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/8d251cba-5b4e-40b1-8693-a9eee67f2eeb 24th May 2022 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/7e60aeee-c1e4-4113-961b-3af77e05ad84 16th May 2022 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/11650d5f-a06a-48ac-b962-0cce57b5e139 25th April 2022 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/b973f9cd-6f9a-47fc-8461-b83611fe4f6b 25th April 2022 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/12c044e3-409e-4753-a2e3-82793e7afd73 25th April 2022 - Early engagement notice on Contracts Finder - https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/dfb17567-93d5-4d44-81a9-9f7656b4af56 n/a - 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The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-b5fd17-1cf73748-421a-496a-8e8c-e285d5d8fa3a. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-b5fd17-1cf73748-421a-496a-8e8c-e285d5d8fa3a.json.