Tenders/UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement - Royal Navy Type 93 Extra-Large Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (XLUUV) and AUKUS Signature Payload Programme Preliminary  Market Engagement: Invitation to Register Interest

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement - Royal Navy Type 93 Extra-Large Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (XLUUV) and AUKUS Signature Payload Programme Preliminary  Market Engagement: Invitation to Register Interest

Ministry of Defence
Published: Oct 12, 2026
Updated: Oct 12, 2026
Source: uk_fts

About This Opportunity

This is a supplies contract in the security and defense, architecture and engineering and information and communication technology sectors, with a focus on Software and artificial intelligence. Located in United Kingdom, Europe, this opportunity is open to firms and consortiums.

Published through UK FTS - Find a Tender Service, a national government procurement portal. Public procurement tenders follow the country's national bidding regulations and may have specific eligibility and documentation requirements for the supply of goods in the security and defense sector. Supply contracts typically require bidders to demonstrate product compliance with technical specifications, delivery capacity, and relevant certifications. This is an advance notice — the formal tender is expected to be published shortly. Interested parties can use this time to prepare documentation and identify potential partners.

Description

The Royal Navy is inviting organisations to register their interest in preliminary market engagement for the Type 93 and AUKUS Signature Payload Programme. The Royal Navy seeks to improve its understanding of the market and wider ecosystem for Extra-Large Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (XLUUV) platforms, associated payloads, and enabling functions. This activity supports the development of the Type 93 capability and the Royal Navy’s commitments under the AUKUS Pillar II Signature Project. The purpose of the registration of interest is to gather a comprehensive list of interested suppliers for XLUUV market segments and the wider ecosystem. This includes, but is not limited to: XLUUV platform providers, payload providers, relevant technology and software suppliers including Autonomy, AI and Mission Management Systems, integrators, through-life support providers, and other relevant suppliers. Suppliers who register their interest through this notice may be invited to participate in subsequent preliminary market engagement activities, including but not limited to, collaborative workshops, 1:1 meetings, industry days, and written requests for information (RFIs). Responses will be used to inform requirements development, and future market engagement and wider programme planning. The Royal Navy is initially considering platforms approximately 2 metres in diameter and 12 metres in length, however organisations offering platforms of other dimensions are also encouraged to register. This notice should not be considered as a commitment from the Royal Navy to progress with any future procurement activities. The programme directly aligns with the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), Defence Investment Plan (DIP) and AUKUS Pillar II priorities, supporting the transition to a Hybrid Navy through the integration of autonomous and uncrewed maritime capabilities. The value of £1 and contract duration of 12 months should be regarded as nominal and will be updated via future notice(s) as the programme progresses, figures and dates mature, and are subsequently confirmed.

Data provenance

This notice is sourced from UK FTS - Find a Tender Service and was originally published on October 12, 2026. Last refreshed today. Reference: 096028-2026. BidsFactory mirrors official procurement notices and links back to the source for full legal text.

About Ministry of Defence

Ministry of Defence has issued 1,353 procurement notices on BidsFactory, including 61 currently open and 956 awarded contracts. Activity concentrates in Information & Communication Technology, Security, Defense & Justice, and Architecture & Engineering Services. Tenders span 8 countries including Sri Lanka, CY, and Singapore. Notices are distributed via UK FTS - Find a Tender Service, UK Contracts Finder, and GETS - New Zealand Government. Most recent publication: October 12, 2026.

Frequently asked questions about this tender

Who is the contracting authority?

This notice was issued by Ministry of Defence in United Kingdom. The authority is responsible for evaluating bids, awarding the contract, and managing performance.

What type of contract is this?

This is a Supplies contract in the Security, Defense & Justice sector. The classification helps bidders match the opportunity to their qualifications and registered scope of supply.

Where will the contract be performed?

The contract is for delivery in United Kingdom. Foreign bidders should review local registration, taxation, and any in-country presence requirements before submitting.

How can I submit a bid?

Visit UK FTS - Find a Tender Service to access the full notice, required documents, and submission instructions. Quote reference 096028-2026 when communicating with the contracting authority.

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Key Details

Contract Type
Supplies
Eligibility
Firms / Consortiums
Language
English
Reference
096028-2026

Source

uk_fts
uk_fts
Official Source

Contracting Authority

Ministry of Defence
🇬🇧United Kingdom

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