---
title: "Lightning Air System National Capability Enterprise 28-32"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-05d96e"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-05d96e"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05d96e.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05d96e.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT"
published: "2025-11-04"
---

# Lightning Air System National Capability Enterprise 28-32

Buyer: DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-05d96e

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## Summary

The "Lightning Air System National Capability Enterprise 28-32" contract, initiated by Defence Equipment and Support, part of the UK Ministry of Defence, aims to provide sustainment support for the UK's F-35 fleet. Located at MOD Abbey Wood in Bristol, the contract encompasses operations, technical maintenance, training, logistics, and facilities management support, delivered both at the Main Operating Base and during deployment. This procurement process is in the award stage, with a contract commencing on 1st January 2028 and set to conclude on 31st December 2032, with a potential extension to the end of 2033. The contract, valued at £220 million (exclusive of VAT), is awarded directly to Lockheed Martin UK Ltd due to unique technical capabilities, meeting the criteria specified under the Procurement Act 2023.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for businesses specialising in defence-related services, particularly those involved in aircraft maintenance, training, and logistical support. Large entities with the capacity to meet stringent technical standards and with expertise in managing complex defence projects are well-suited to engage in this arena. Although the contract has been directly awarded, understanding its scope and requirements can enable similar enterprises to position themselves for future opportunities in the defence procurement sector, particularly if renewal or extended services are considered.

## Notice

The LANCE 28-32 contract will be the National Support Solution (NSS) for the UK's F-35 fleet. It comprises the tailored, Freedom of Action (FoA) services that together with the broader F-35 Program Global Support Solution (GSS) provide sustainment support. LANCE 28-32 services will be delivered by the Contractor at the Main Operating Base (MOB) and when deployed and embarked. Services will include operations, technical, maintenance, training, logistics and facilities management support.

### Procurement Information

The Lightning Team, part of the UK Ministry of Defence, intends to award a contract to Lockheed Martin UK Ltd (LM UK) for services to sustain the UK F-35 Lightning Aircraft (Aircraft). The contract will be for a term of 5 years and have an estimated value of PS220 million (exclusive of VAT). It is considered that this contract can be awarded under Section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023 because the direct award justification specified in paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 (single supplier - technical reasons) applies. This is because the services required under this contract (training, maintenance and management) are currently provided by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the Aircraft, Lockheed Martin Corporation procured through the US Joint Program Office (JPO) for the Lightning Programme, and LM UK is its wholly owned subsidiary. Only the OEM or one of its group companies has the required technical drawings, tools, knowledge and expertise to provide these services and there is no reasonable alternative.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070660-2025 |
| Notice type | UK5 - Transparency Notice |
| Procurement type | Standard |
| Procurement category | Services |
| Procurement method | Direct |
| Procurement method details | Direct award |
| Tender suitability | Not specified |
| Awardee scale | Large |
| All stages | Planning, Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 4 Nov 2025 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | 5 Nov 2025 |
| Award date | 4 Nov 2025 |
| Contract period | 1 Jan 2028 - 31 Dec 2032 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | £220,000,000 |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £220,000,000 |
| 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 | TLH16 North and West Norfolk |

## Supplier

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Number of suppliers | 1 |
| Supplier names | LOCKHEED MARTIN |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 50 - Repair and maintenance services
- 80 - Education and training services

### Codes

- 50210000 - Repair, maintenance and associated services related to aircraft and other equipment
- 80650000 - Training and simulation in aircrafts, missiles and spacecrafts

## Release History

- 4 Nov 2025 at 08:49 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070660-2025
- 4 Nov 2025 at 08:39 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070658-2025

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070660-2025
  4th November 2025 - Transparency notice on Find a Tender
- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/070658-2025
  4th November 2025 - Pipeline 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-05d96e. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-05d96e.json.