---
title: "715777452 - Elmer Radio and Avionic Communication Equipment: UK5 - Transparency Notice"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0656e3"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0656e3"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0656e3.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0656e3.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT"
published: "2026-02-18"
---

# 715777452 - Elmer Radio and Avionic Communication Equipment: UK5 - Transparency Notice

Buyer: DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0656e3

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[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0656e3.json)

## Summary

The Ministry of Defence's Defence Equipment and Support unit in Bristol, UK, has concluded the award stage of a procurement process concerning the Elmer Radio and Avionic Communication Equipment. The contract has been directly awarded to Leonardo UK, the original equipment manufacturer, for repair and post-design services of systems used on the Chinook, Merlin, and Wildcat platforms. This strategic contract, valued at £8 million, will span five years starting from 15 May 2026, with two additional option years available. The procurement falls under the services category, justified by technical reasons stipulated in the Procurement Act 2023, resulting in its direct award.

This tender presents a significant opportunity for large-scale enterprises specialising in defence and aerospace services, particularly those with expertise in avionics and electronics maintenance. Businesses with capabilities in providing specialised repair and maintenance services of audio equipment, as classified under CPV code 50342000, would be well-positioned to explore this sector. As the contract incorporates potential extensions based on discretion, businesses that can offer quality assurance and dependable service delivery stand to cement long-term partnerships and develop their footprint in the defence supply chain.

## Notice

The Support Capabilities and Commodities Team, part of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), intends to award a contract to Leonardo UK Ltd (Leonardo) for repair and post design services for the Elmer Radio and AD120 Avionic Communication Equipment (Equipment), which is used on the Chinook, Merlin and Wildcat platforms. The contract with be for a term of 5 years plus two option years and have an estimated value of up to PS8m ex 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 Leonardo is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the Equipment and has supported it since it was introduced into service in the early 1980s. Only the OEM has access to the technical knowledge, documentation and spare parts required to perform the contract and there are no other reasonable alternatives.

### Procurement Information

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.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014685-2026 |
| 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 | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 18 Feb 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 18 Feb 2026 |
| Contract period | 14 May 2026 - 14 May 2031 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £8,000,000 |
| 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 | LEONARDO |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 50 - Repair and maintenance services

### Codes

- 50342000 - Repair and maintenance services of audio equipment

## Release History

- 18 Feb 2026 at 11:52 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014685-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/014685-2026
  18th February 2026 - 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-0656e3. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0656e3.json.