--- title: "Procurement of LW30-UK5" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05d1c1" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05d1c1" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05d1c1.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05d1c1.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Award" buyer: "DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT" published: "2025-10-22" --- # Procurement of LW30-UK5 Buyer: DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT Current stage: Award OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05d1c1 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05d1c1) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05d1c1.json) ## Summary The procurement process for the contract titled "Procurement of LW30-UK5" was conducted by Defence Equipment and Support, a public authority under the UK central government. This contract is focused on the acquisition of LW30 ammunition within the defence and security industry category. Located in Bristol, United Kingdom, the procurement stage is currently at the award phase, with a transparency notice published on 22nd October 2025. The procurement was managed through a direct award procedure, justified for technical reasons as specified under the Procurement Act 2023, with the contract award pending signature on 1st July 2026. The contract is set to commence on 2nd July 2026 and extend until 2nd July 2034, featuring an estimated total value of £60 million inclusive of VAT, and involving Northrop Grumman International Inc. as the supplier, with legal rights to manufacture the ammunition. This tender offers substantial opportunities for growth in the defence and security sector, particularly for businesses specialising in the manufacture and supply of ammunition compatible with complex weapon systems like the Apache platform. While the current award is designated for Northrop Grumman due to their unique technical capabilities and existing licensing agreements with the US Department of Defence, similar businesses that can secure necessary approvals and technical expertise may also explore future opportunities with the Ministry of Defence. Moreover, companies with a focus on strategic collaborations with government bodies and possessing capabilities in supplying specified equipment could greatly benefit from engaging in such high-value projects. ## Notice The procurement of LW30 ammunition. ### Procurement Information The Defence General Munitions (DGM) Delivery Team, part of the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), has a requirement for LW30 ammunition and intends to award up to an 8 Year contract to Northrop Grumman (NG) via the direct award procedure in accordance with the procurement Act 2023 (PA23). The estimated total value of the proposed award is PS50m ex-VAT (PS60m inclusive of VAT). It is considered that the award of the contract without prior publication of a Tender notice in the UK e-notification service is lawful in accordance with Paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 of the PA23 for technical reasons. This is on the basis that NG have the rights to manufacture LW30 ammunition on licence from the US Department of Defence. NG are approved by the US DOD to manufacture LW30 ammunition for use in the Apache M230 Cannon. Only Rounds manufactured in accordance with the US DOD Design Authority can be used on the Apache Platform. UK MOD must utilise US DOD Endorsed companies when procuring UK Ammunition stores to ensure compatibility with the Apache platform. Compatibility with current in-service weapon systems is paramount and NG have the technical knowledge, expertise and legal rights to manufacture these Rounds. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067540-2025 | | Notice type | UK5 - Transparency Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Direct | | Procurement method details | Direct award | | Tender suitability | Not specified | | Awardee scale | Large | | All stages | Award | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 22 Oct 2025 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | Not specified | | Award date | 22 Oct 2025 | | Contract period | 1 Jul 2026 - 2 Jul 2034 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | £50,000,000 | | 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 | NORTHROP GRUMMAN INTERNATIONAL | ## CPV Codes ### Divisions - 35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment ### Codes - 35330000 - Ammunition ## Release History - 22 Oct 2025 at 13:53 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067540-2025 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/067540-2025 22nd October 2025 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender ## Notice URLs - 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-05d1c1. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05d1c1.json.