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Published 4 Nov 2025, 08:39 GMT

Official UK procurement notice

Lightning Air System National Capability Enterprise 28-32

Official notice

Authority: Defence Equipment and Support

ServicesDirect awardAbove thresholdDefence & security
Sectors: Repair & Maintenance (50)Education & Training (80) Delivery: UKEast of England (UKH16)
Contract value (direct award)£220,000,000≈ £44m / year · £264,000,000 inc. VAT
Award in standstill Not publishedno call for competition
Award (standstill) to Lockheed Martin UK
Contract term 5 yrsends 31 Dec 2032 · up to 31 Dec 2033 with extensions · starts 1 Jan 2028

What is being bought

Published requirement description

The LANCE 28-32 contract will be the National Support Solution (NSS) for the UK’s F-35 fleet. It comprises the tailored, Freedom of Action (FoA) services that together with the broader F-35 Program Global Support Solution (GSS) provide sustainment support. LANCE 28-32 services will be delivered by the Contractor at the Main Operating Base (MOB) and when deployed and embarked. Services will include operations, technical, maintenance, training, logistics and facilities management support.

CPV: Repair, maintenance and associated services related to aircraft and other equipment · Training and simulation in aircrafts, missiles and spacecrafts

The lotProcurement structure

single lot · no lot value published
Lot #1AwardedRenewal 5 yrs
Contract period: 1 Jan 2028 – 31 Dec 2032 (5 yrs) · up to 31 Dec 2033 with extensions
Delivery: East of England
Extensions: Extension options published
50210000 Repair, maintenance and associated services related to aircraft and other equipment80650000 Training and simulation in aircrafts, missiles and spacecrafts

Procedure terms & legal framework

From the official record
Procedure method
Direct award
Legal basis
UKPGA · 2023/54 Procurement Act 2023
Procurement category
Services
Notice status
Awarded without competition
Procurement threshold
Above threshold (FTS publication)
Regulatory regime
Defence & security
Commercial structure
Stand-alone contract (no framework)
Competition type
Direct award (no call for competition)
GPA / WTO covered
Unspecified in notice
Recurring procurement
Unspecified in notice
First published
4 Nov 2025, 08:39 GMT
Last source update
4 Nov 2025, 08:49 GMT
Authority reference
715712464
FTS notice number
2025/S 000-070660
Latest notice
Transparency notice (UK5)
Classification (CPV)
Repair, maintenance and associated services related to aircraft and other equipmentTraining and simulation in aircrafts, missiles and spacecrafts
Delivery area
UKEast of England (UKH16)
Official registry OCID
ocds-h6vhtk-05d96e Find a Tender
Why no open competition
Single Suppliers Technical Reasons
Published justification

The Lightning Team, part of the UK Ministry of Defence, intends to award a contract to Lockheed Martin UK Ltd (LM UK) for services to sustain the UK F-35 Lightning Aircraft (Aircraft). The contract will be for a term of 5 years and have an estimated value of £220 million (exclusive of 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 the services required under this contract (training, maintenance and management) are currently provided by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the Aircraft, Lockheed Martin Corporation procured through the US Joint Program Office (JPO) for the Lightning Programme, and LM UK is its wholly owned subsidiary. Only the OEM or one of its group companies has the required technical drawings, tools, knowledge and expertise to provide these services and there is no reasonable alternative.

How it was run

Official notice
Submission deadline
—

Timeline

4 Nov 2025 → 1 Jan 2028 · 3 dates
  1. Planning notice published355 days ago
    4 Nov 2025, 08:39 GMT
  2. Next notice expected353 days ago
    5 Nov 2025, 23:59 GMT
  3. Today
    25 Oct 2026
  4. Contract starts
    1 Jan 2028

Notice history

4 events · 2 releases on Find a Tender · since 4 Nov 2025
  1. Pipeline notice published
    4 Nov 2025, 08:39 GMT
    UK1
  2. Transparency notice published
    4 Nov 2025, 08:49 GMT
    UK5
  3. Status changed to complete
    4 Nov 2025, 08:49 GMT
  4. Contract signature expected
    29 Oct 2027, 23:59 BST
    scheduled

Commercial outcome & contract awards

Published awards, contracts and bid statistics, not a forecast
Awards 1some still in standstill
Awarded value £220,000,0001 award exc. VAT
Awarded toValueDateStatus
Lockheed Martin UK1 Jan 2028 – 31 Dec 2032 · up to 31 Dec 2033Extensions: Additional year of contracted services. · Options: This will be further defined prior to release of tender, but may include services such as additional training services.£220,000,000—Standstill

Contracting authority & participating public bodies

Defence Equipment and Support

Contracting authorityPublic authority - central government GB-PPON: PVRL-5831-GLMM MOD Abbey Wood, Bristol, South West, BS34 8JHContact name, email

Bidders & participating suppliers

1 commercial party on the notice
  • Lockheed Martin UK LtdAwarded supplierGB-COH: 02372738 Building 7000, Langstone Park, Langstone, Havant, Hampshire, South East, PO9 1SWContact email

Official documents & specifications (2)

Official links; attachments are not copied

Notices published for this procedure

  • Transparency notice awardTransparency noticeUK5Transparency notice on Find a Tender
  • Pipeline notice planningPipeline noticeUK1Pipeline notice on Find a Tender