--- title: "MHC Block 2 Procurement of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), Associated Equipment and Support" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0502d1" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0502d1" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0502d1.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0502d1.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Tender" buyer: "DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT" published: "2025-10-24" --- # MHC Block 2 Procurement of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs), Associated Equipment and Support Buyer: DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT Current stage: Tender OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0502d1 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0502d1) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0502d1.json) ## Summary The Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) organisation is seeking tenders for the procurement of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) and associated equipment as part of the Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) Block 2 programme. With a competitive flexible procedure in place, the procurement focuses on the defence and security sector. Located in Bristol, the buying organisation has set a deadline for the expression of interest on 21 November 2025. The procurement process is currently in the tender stage, and the procurement method being utilised is selective. The full value is anticipated to gross £150 million, with the contract award expected by June 2026. Key stages, including the Tenderers Conference and an in-water confidence assessment, are scheduled for early 2026, with tender packs to be issued by January or February 2026. This tender presents significant growth opportunities for businesses operating within the defence and marine technology sectors. Companies with expertise in unmanned maritime systems, equipment support, and technological innovation will find this tender appealing. The procurement process allows for potentially lucrative engagements due to the contract's value and renewal options, which include extensions and additional procurement opportunities. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to participate, provided they meet the technical and economic criteria, making this an excellent opportunity for businesses with robust UK-based facilities to expand their portfolios in the competitive defence market. ## Notice Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) Team Block 2 procurement of Unmanned Underwater Vehicles, associated equipment and in-service support. ### Lot Information Lot 1 Options: The proposed contract will include an option for the purchase of an additional quantity of UUVs, which will be exercised in the event that The Authority identifies a requirement for the procurement of similar or identical equipment. Renewal: The proposed contract will include two options to extend the term of the agreement by an additional year each. These options will be exercised by The Authority in the event it requires an extended period of equipment support. ### Planning Information ***UPDATE 24/07/2025 - The Request For Information activity for this requirement has concluded as of 30th May 2025, and submissions to participate from potential suppliers is no longer invited. Please refer to the related UK3 Planned Procurement Notice published on 3rd July for updated details of the planned timescales for this requirement.*** https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037104-2025 This Early Market Engagement Notice is to give industry advance notice of the Authority’s proposed procurement of up to 24 Uncrewed Underwater Vehicles (UUV) and 8 Launch and Recovery Systems (LARS) for mine hunting and seabed surveillance purposes, and to gain feedback from potential suppliers via the completion of a set of specific procurement-related questions. This requirement is part of the Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) Mine Hunting Capability (MHC) Block 2 programme. Suppliers who do not submit a response to this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice/RFI will not be precluded from participating in any subsequent MHC Block 2 UUV competitive procurement process. Suppliers should note that following the conclusion of this RFI the Authority may, at its sole discretion, decide to proceed with the MHC Block 2 UUV procurement as planned, via a different procurement route or not to proceed. The purpose of this Early Market Engagement Notice/RFI is for the Authority to gather information and is not a commitment to future procurement activity. ***UPDATE 24/07/2025 - The Request For Information activity for this requirement has concluded as of 30th May 2025, and submissions to participate from potential suppliers is no longer invited. Please refer to the related UK3 Planned Procurement Notice published on 3rd July for updated details of the planned timescales for this requirement.*** https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037104-2025 ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068099-2025 | | Notice type | UK4 - Tender Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Selective | | Procurement method details | Competitive flexible procedure | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning, Tender | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 24 Oct 2025 | | Submission deadline | 5 Mar 2026 | | Future notice date | 16 Oct 2025 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 29 Jun 2026 - 30 Sep 2031 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | £125,000,000 | | Lots value | £125,000,000 | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Active | | Lots status | Active | | Awards status | Not specified | | Contracts status | Not specified | ## Buyer | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Main buyer | DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT | | 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 | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment ### Codes - 35512400 - Unmanned underwater vehicles ## Release History - 24 Oct 2025 at 09:58 - Tender - UK4 - Tender Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068099-2025 - 24 Jul 2025 at 10:09 - PlanningUpdate - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042654-2025 - 3 Jul 2025 at 12:34 - Planning - UK3 - Planned Procurement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037104-2025 - 14 May 2025 at 12:59 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021291-2025 - 14 Apr 2025 at 15:23 - Planning - UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015079-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/068099-2025 24th October 2025 - Tender notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042654-2025 24th July 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/037104-2025 3rd July 2025 - Planned procurement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/021291-2025 14th May 2025 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015079-2025 14th April 2025 - Preliminary market engagement notice on Find a Tender - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-6585 - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/Attachment/A-6586 ## Notice URLs - https://contracts.mod.uk/go/711260180196389D0E82 - https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-equipment-and-support - https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/54/contents ## 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-0502d1. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0502d1.json.