UK military seeks tactical comms and systems suppliers

"The UK government is launching a competition for military grade communications hardware and software in a tender worth up to £9.6 billion ($12.5 billion) including tax. A procurement notice called for vendors to come forward with "specialized military grade tactical communication and information systems, including hardware, software and associated design and implementation and support services". It said the kit could be "deployed in active battlefield environments for critical real-time operational tactical communications"."

"In a supplier briefing, officials said the tendering process is being run and managed by Crown Commercial Services, the government procurement unit run within the Cabinet Office. The Ministry of Defence is the design lead and will be the primary user, though the framework will be available to others in the UK public sector, including the police, fire brigades, ambulance services and the coast guard (Blue Light services)."

The UK government has launched a competition for military-grade tactical communications hardware and software in a framework worth up to £9.6 billion including VAT (£8 billion excluding VAT). The procurement calls for specialized military-grade tactical communication and information systems, including hardware, software and associated design, implementation and support services deployable in active battlefield environments for real-time operational tactical communications. The framework could run from 10 June 2026 to 9 June 2034 and will be managed by Crown Commercial Services with the Ministry of Defence as design lead and primary user. The framework will be available to police, fire, ambulance and coastguard (Blue Light services). The Emergency Service Network for Blue Light services has faced long delays and a doubled budget to £11 billion, prompting stop-gap upgrades and raising the possibility that the new tactical communications deal could provide alternative options. Officials said the framework would be re-opened to competition every two years to allow new suppliers.

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