Awarded contract

Provision of Air Traffic Management Services

Details

Supplier(s)
AQUILA AIR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT SERVICES LIMITED
Value
£436,073,720
Duration
6 years
Topic
Air-traffic control services
Published
9 October 2026

Tender description

This supersedes Notice 2026/S 000-095889 published 12/10/26. The Air Traffic Management Team (ATMT) within the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) has a requirement for the design, procurement and installation of military air traffic management capability. These services ensure that military flying operations are conducted safely and the supplier must have the relevant Military Aviation Authority (MAA) approval. MOD intends to amend the existing contract for the services (the ‘Contract’) in a way which shall materially change the duration and vary the pricing. It is considered that this amendment may be placed in accordance with the Direct Award criteria under Schedule 5, paragraph 20 to the Act. The existing contractor has sought to renegotiate the contract price, citing external cost pressures that make current arrangements unsustainable. There is a material risk of a gap in service if the MOD does not engage in the negotiations, or recompetes the requirement. This is because no other supplier currently holds the necessary approvals to deliver the service and the time taken for an alternative supplier to obtain the required approvals will result in a gap in service. Any gap in service would compromise the operational capability and safety of military flying operations and it is therefore necessary for the contract to be awarded directly. Placing this amendment by direct award will maintain crucial defence capabilities whilst also reducing the Contract duration by five years, enabling MOD to approach the market earlier than originally anticipated. ## Contract award Title: Provision of Air Traffic Management Services

Timeline

  1. Completed: Award published9 October 2026
    Current notice
  2. Completed: Award date9 October 2026
  3. Next: Contract expiry date31 March 2032in 5 years

About the buyer

Defence Equipment and Support is a central government executive agency that buys and supports equipment for the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force on behalf of the Ministry of Defence. Air, Land and Sea are DE&S's three capability areas, each running its own procurement. The Defence Suppliers Forum is the main channel for strategic industry engagement. Trade associations such as ADS, Make UK and techUK help route opportunities to businesses.

Over the past 5 years, most of Defence Equipment and Support's contract awards have been in repair and maintenance, security and defence equipment and transport equipment.

Relevant CPV codes

  • 63732000 · Air-traffic control services

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Decision makers

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