---
title: "CR2/CR3 Cupola Wiper Motor Assembly Transparency notice (UK5)"
ocid: "ocds-h6vhtk-0658e0"
canonical_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0658e0"
markdown_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0658e0.md"
json_url: "https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0658e0.json"
source: "Find A Tender Service"
current_stage: "Award"
buyer: "DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT"
published: "2026-02-20"
---

# CR2/CR3 Cupola Wiper Motor Assembly Transparency notice (UK5)

Buyer: DEFENCE EQUIPMENT AND SUPPORT  
Current stage: Award  
OCID: ocds-h6vhtk-0658e0

[View canonical contract page](https://d3tenders.com/contract/?ocid=ocds-h6vhtk-0658e0)  
[Download OCDS JSON](https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0658e0.json)

## Summary

The procurement process led by Defence Equipment and Support, a central government public authority in the United Kingdom located in Bristol, UKK12, has reached the award stage for the contract titled "CR2/CR3 Cupola Wiper Motor Assembly Transparency notice (UK5)". This project falls under the industry category of electronic and electrical spare parts for military vehicles, with a specific focus on supplying two hundred (200) Wiper Motor Assemblies for the Challenger 2 and Challenger 3 Main Battle Tanks. The contract, valued at approximately £2,400,000 excluding VAT, was awarded through a direct procurement method due to a lack of competition for technical reasons, with Thistle Design (MMC) Limited identified as the sole supplier capable of fulfilling the contract requirements. The contract period is scheduled to commence on 15 June 2026 and conclude on 30 June 2028. A key milestone is the signing date scheduled for 12 June 2026. 

This tender presents substantial opportunities for businesses with expertise in the manufacture and supply of sophisticated military vehicle components, particularly those that have the necessary technical knowledge and experience in producing bespoke motor assemblies. Companies specialising in electronic and electrical spare parts production for military applications could leverage this opportunity to enhance their portfolios and establish themselves within the defence supply chain. By engaging in such government contracts, businesses could see significant growth in both financial and reputational terms, although given the specific technical criteria, larger enterprises with a proven track record in similar defence contracts may be particularly well-suited to compete successfully in future related procurements.

## Notice

The requirement is for the Contractor to supply two hundred (200) Wiper Motor Assemblies, one hundred (100) of each side, for the Commanders Cupola in the Challenger 2 and Challenger 3 Main Battle Tanks (MBT). The Wiper Motor Assemblies are to be manufactured in accordance with the technical drawing pack and packaged in appropriate packaging for delivery in to the Donnington Fulfillment Centre. The value of the goods is expected to be approximately PS2,400,000. The CPV code is 35422000 - Electronic and electrical spare parts for military vehicles.

### Procurement Information

There is a requirement to contract for the purchasing of Cupola Wiper Motors used to satisfy the Challenger 3 Manufacturing Phase. The Land Combat Vehicles 1 Team, part of the Secretary of State for Defence (the "Authority"), intends to award a contract to Thistle Design (MMC) Ltd ("TD") for the provision of Challenger 3 Cupola Wiper Motors, for a period of up to 2 years. The estimated contract value is PS2,400,000.00, excluding VAT. The requirement will deliver Qty 200 Cupola Wiper Motors (Qty 100 left hand and Qty 100 right hand). This procurement is governed by the Procurement Act 2023. 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 applies. Due to an absence of competition for technical reasons, only a particular supplier, Thistle Design (MMC) Ltd, has the necessary technical expertise and knowledge to deliver the requirement at the standard required. As the Design Authority and the Original Equipment Manufacturer of the motor and experienced repairer of the Cupola Wiper Motor Assemblies, only Thistle Design (MMC) Ltd can deliver this requirement.

## Key Details

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication source | Find A Tender Service |
| Latest notice | https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015546-2026 |
| 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 | SME |
| All stages | Award |

## Dates

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Publication date | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Submission deadline | Not specified |
| Future notice date | Not specified |
| Award date | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Contract period | 14 Jun 2026 - 30 Jun 2028 |
| Recurrence | Not specified |

## Values

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Tender value | Not specified |
| Lots value | Not specified |
| Awards value | £2,400,000 |
| 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 | THISTLE DESIGN (MMC |

## CPV Codes

### Divisions

- 35 - Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment

### Codes

- 35422000 - Electronic and electrical spare parts for military vehicles

## Release History

- 20 Feb 2026 at 10:32 - Award - UK5 - Transparency Notice - https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015546-2026

## Documents

- https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015546-2026
  20th 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
- https://www.quanticthistle.com/

## 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-0658e0. The underlying structured data is available as OCDS JSON at https://d3tenders.com/contract/ocds-h6vhtk-0658e0.json.