--- title: "Project GRAYBURN: Defence replacement of SA80 family of rifles - Concept Stage" ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-060525" canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-060525" markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060525.md" json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060525.json" source: "Find A Tender Service" current_stage: "Planning" buyer: "DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT" published: "2026-01-13" --- # Project GRAYBURN: Defence replacement of SA80 family of rifles - Concept Stage Buyer: DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT Current stage: Planning OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-060525 [View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-060525) [Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060525.json) ## Summary The Defence Equipment and Support organisation, a central government public authority under the UK Ministry of Defence, is in the planning stage for the procurement process titled "Project GRAYBURN: Defence replacement of SA80 family of rifles - Concept Stage." This project focuses on replacing the existing SA80 family of rifles with improved variants. The procurement method is a competitive flexible procedure, suitable for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and falls under the defence and security regime, primarily concerning goods like weapons, ammunition, and related parts. The contract is set to commence on 1st April 2028 and conclude by 31st March 2045, with the manufacturing of rifles intended to take place in the UK. A further notice is expected to be issued on 14th January 2026, providing additional details to potential bidders. This tender offers considerable opportunities for businesses involved in the weapons and defence manufacturing sector, particularly those with capabilities in producing high-reliability firearms and related components. Businesses that can establish a strategic partnership with the Defence Equipment and Support & UK manufacturing facilities will have the potential for growth in employment and export platforms. The focus on innovation for surveillance, target acquisition, and adherence to emerging standards for reliability and signature reduction will appeal to enterprises that specialise in the integration of cutting-edge technologies within arms manufacturing. This project seeks to provide a platform for export opportunities, making it attractive for businesses aiming to expand their reach beyond national borders. ## Notice Defence Equipment & Support the procurement arm of the UK Ministry of Defence, the Lethality and Protect, Gunnery Systems and Munitions, Dismounted Close Combat Team wishes to update industry on Pj GRAYBURN. No investment decisions have been taken yet. However, following direction from the Joint Requirements Oversight Committee, Pj GRAYBURN will focus on consideration of the following high-level characteristics: 1. UK manufacture - It is the Authority's intention that Pj GRAYBURN will be manufactured in the UK to enhance sovereign supply chains, generate employment, and provide a platform for exports. 2. Strategic supplier - The Authority is to consider establishing a strategic relationship to deliver, manage, spirally develop and support the weapons portfolio for Pj GRAYBURN systems, and in time, perhaps parts of/all the wider dismounted close combat weapons portfolio. 3. Variants - Pj GRAYBURN will deliver 5 distinct variants, most likely based upon a common lower receiver. a. Dismounted Close Combat (replacing SA80A3). b. Dismounted Close Combat (short) (replacing SA80A3). c. Personal Defence Weapon (replacing L22 Carbine). d. Generalist (replacing SA80A2). e. Cadet rifle (replacing L98 Cadet GP rifle). (There remains potential to combine the DCC (Short) requirement into either the DCC or Personal Defence Weapon variant). 4. Adversary target armour - Pj GRAYBURN will look to provide sufficient lethality to defeat current and emerging body armour. 5. Surveillance and Target Acquisition - Pj GRAYBURN weapons will be fitted with day-optics and have the ability to quickly integrate with in-line night vision optics. 6. Pj GRAYBURN will seek to employ signature reduction technology on some variants. 7. Reliability - Pj GRAYBURN will deliver a highly reliable rifle, operable in all environments and climatic conditions. The Authority will seek to engage industry in approach to Pj Grayburn in due course, and a further information notice will be released at that time. ## Key Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication source | Find A Tender Service | | Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002873-2026 | | Notice type | UK1 - Pipeline Notice | | Procurement type | Standard | | Procurement category | Goods | | Procurement method | Not Specified | | Procurement method details | Competitive flexible procedure | | Tender suitability | SME | | Awardee scale | Not specified | | All stages | Planning | ## Dates | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Publication date | 13 Jan 2026 | | Submission deadline | Not specified | | Future notice date | 14 Jan 2026 | | Award date | Not specified | | Contract period | 31 Mar 2028 - 31 Mar 2045 | | Recurrence | Not specified | ## Values | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender value | Not specified | | Lots value | Not specified | | Awards value | Not specified | | Contracts value | Not specified | ## Status | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Tender status | Planned | | Lots status | Planned | | 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 - 35300000 - Weapons, ammunition and associated parts ## Release History - 13 Jan 2026 at 17:35 - Planning - UK1 - Pipeline Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002873-2026 ## Documents - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/002873-2026 13th January 2026 - 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-060525. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-060525.json.