---
title: "Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) Mid Life Improvement (MLI)"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-043442"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-043442"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-043442.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-043442.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "MINISTRY OF DEFENCE"
published: "2025-09-12"
---

# Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) Mid Life Improvement (MLI)

Buyer: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-043442

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## Summary

The UK Ministry of Defence has entered into a 10-year contract with FN UK Ltd for the Mid Life Improvement (MLI) of the Heavy Machine Gun (HMG). As part of the Dismounted Close Combat project team, the Ministry is leveraging the expertise of FN UK Ltd, located at Phoenix House, Slade Green Road in Erith, due to their role as the Original Equipment Manufacturer and Design Authority with exclusive access to necessary technical information. This procurement falls under the services category specialised in the repair and maintenance of firearms and ammunition, employing a limited negotiation method without prior publication. The contract was awarded on 1st August 2025, indicating that the procurement is in the award stage.

This tender presents significant business growth opportunities especially for firms involved in defence sector services focusing on the repair and maintenance of weapon systems. Although the primary contract has been awarded to FN UK Ltd due to their unique capabilities and technical advantages, businesses that can offer complementary services or components related to the HMG may find potential partnerships or subcontracting opportunities. Companies with expertise in defence maintenance services and those that can provide innovative enhancements in line with military specifications would be well-suited to explore collaborations under this project.

## Notice

The Dismounted Close Combat project team, part of the UK Ministry of Defence is placing a 10-year contract with FN UK Ltd for the Mid Life Improvement of the Heavy Machine Gun (HMG). This is because FN UK Ltd are the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Design Authority (DA) and are the only economic entity with access to the necessary technical information, knowledge and expertise, for the HMG comprised in this contract. FN UK Ltd are also the only economic entity with the capability and access necessary to provide the required technical support to ensure it complies with the Authority's specification, maintains the operational performance and effectiveness of the weapon system, and ability to underwrite the integrity of the modifications to the weapons systems as a result of a safety investigation.

### Lot Information

Lot 1

This contract will enable the Authority to undertake the Mid Life improvement requirements for the Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) that will ensure the UK Armed Forces Commands can meet their enduring and future capability needs.

### Procurement Information

Explanation: In accordance with regulation 4 of The Defence and Security Public Contracts (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 (SI 2019/697) this procurement falls to be regulated under the provisions of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 as amended (in particular by SI 2019/697 and SI 2020/1450). Prior publication of a contract notice in the Official Journal of the European Union is no longer appropriate. It is considered that the award of the contract without prior publication of a contract notice in the UK e-notification service is lawful in accordance with Regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) of the Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 for Technical Reasons. This is because FN UK Ltd are the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Design Authority (DA) and are the only economic entity with access to the necessary technical information, knowledge and expertise, for the HMG comprised in this contract. FN UK Ltd are also the only economic entity with the capability and access necessary to provide the required technical support to ensure it complies with the Authority's specification, maintains the operational performance and effectiveness of the weapon system, and ability to underwrite the integrity of the modifications to the weapons systems as a result of a safety investigation.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056222-2025 |
| Notice type | Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Limited |
| Procurement method details | Negotiated without publication of a contract notice |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 12 Sep 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 24 Jan 2024 |
| Contract period | Not specified |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | Not specified |
| Contracts value | £40,000,000 |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Not specified |
| Awards status | Active |
| Contracts status | Active |

## 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 | Not specified |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 2 |
| Supplier names | FN; FNH |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 50 - Repair and maintenance services

### Codes

- 50620000 - Repair and maintenance services of firearms and ammunition

## Release History

- 12 Sep 2025 at 13:11 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/056222-2025
- 24 Jan 2024 at 15:40 - Award - Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002456-2024

## Notice URLs

- https://des.mod.uk/

## Provenance

This Markdown file is an alternate public rendering of the D3 Tenders contract record. The canonical page is https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-043442. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-043442.json.