---
title: "Type 31 Identification Friend or Foe (with FSS)"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0563de"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0563de"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0563de.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0563de.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT"
published: "2025-08-07"
---

# Type 31 Identification Friend or Foe (with FSS)

Buyer: DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0563de

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0563de)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0563de.json)

## Summary

The recent procurement process initiated by Defence Equipment and Support, a central government authority in Bristol, centred around the acquisition titled "Type 31 Identification Friend or Foe (with FSS)". This procurement falls under the defence and security industry category and includes the purchase of three Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems for use within the Fleet Solid Support framework. The procurement stage currently highlights an award, with Leonardo UK Limited as the supplier. Although the procurement method was a direct award, which is typical for such defence-related categories, the process is governed by the UK Procurement Act 2023 due to technical specificity requirements. The award was announced on 7 August 2025, with a contract period stretching from 5 September 2025 to 1 June 2030, and a standstill period concluding by 18 August 2025.

This tender presents significant business prospects, particularly for large-scale suppliers versed in defence technology solutions. The opportunity primarily benefits businesses capable of delivering sophisticated satellite communications equipment, as evidenced by the contract's main procurement category. Companies familiar with Mode 5 Identification Friend or Foe systems may find this contract particularly beneficial due to the technical requirements outlined, suggesting a niche yet lucrative market for specialised defence suppliers. Furthermore, the option for extended warranty and support services indicates promising prospects for companies that excel in ongoing technical maintenance and support, thereby fostering long-term business relationships and growth within the defence sector.

## Notice

Procurement of 3 IFF systems for Fleet Solid Support (FSS) with technical support and spares for both Type 31 and FSS

### Procurement Information

The Fleet Solid Support ("FSS") Delivery Team and the Type 31 Delivery Team, which are part of the UK Ministry of Defence (the "Authority"), propose to place a contract with Leonardo UK Ltd (Company Registration Number 02426132) (the "Company") for the provision of three (3) Mode 5 Identification Friend-or-Foe Systems (the "Systems") to be integrated onto the Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels (the "RFA Vessels") along with technical information and equipment spares (the "Goods"). The proposed contract will also include an ability for the Authority to obtain technical support from the Company (the "Services"). The proposed contract has an estimated value of PS12,500,000 (twelve million five hundred thousand pounds) ex VAT and a duration of five (5) years. This procurement falls to be governed by the Procurement Act 2023 (the "PA23") Chapter 3, Section 41: Direct Award in Special Cases. It is considered that direct award of the proposed contract is lawful in accordance with PA23 Schedule 5(6)(a)(b) which relates to an absence of competition for technical reasons for the following reasons. It is considered that direct award is lawful in accordance with paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 PA 2023 due to an absence of competition for technical reasons. There is an absence of competition for technical reasons as no other supplier (other than the Company) is able to supply the Systems and Goods or provide the Services that meet MoD's requirements and there are no reasonable alternatives to the Systems, Goods and/or Services. Further, the Systems and Goods are required to have the same technical characteristics as existing systems and goods that are already in operation across wider UK MoD platforms. Operating systems and goods with different technical characteristics simultaneously across multiple RFA Vessels and UK MOD platforms would cause disproportionate technical difficulties in the operation and maintenance of the existing systems, goods and services. In particular, it would cause safety and operational user risk to arise, particularly with regards to the Cryptographic elements of the Systems, the Goods and the Services.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046929-2025 |
| Notice type | UK6 - Contract Award Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Goods |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Planning, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 7 Aug 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 25 Jul 2025 |
| Award date | 5 Aug 2025 |
| Contract period | 4 Sep 2025 - 1 Jun 2030 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £12,500,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £12,500,000 |
| Contracts value | Not specified |

## Status

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender status | Complete |
| Lots status | Complete |
| Awards status | Pending |
| 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 |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | LEONARDO |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

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

### Codes

- 32531000 - Satellite communications equipment

## Release History

- 7 Aug 2025 at 13:02 - Award - UK6 - Contract Award Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046929-2025
- 5 Aug 2025 at 12:31 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046113-2025
- 22 Jul 2025 at 13:19 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042031-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046929-2025
  7th August 2025 - Contract award notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/046113-2025
  5th August 2025 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/042031-2025
  22nd July 2025 - Pipeline notice on Find a Tender

## Notice URLs

- http://www.contracts.mod.uk
- 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-0563de. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0563de.json.