The Ministry of Defence has signalled its intent to procure a long-term support contract for the highly mechanised weapons handling systems (HMWHS) fitted aboard the Royal Navy’s Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers.
According to a UK1 pipeline notice published on 20 May 2025 by Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), the upcoming contract would cover the provision of spare parts and in-service support for the specialist equipment, which automates the movement of munitions on board the carriers.
The estimated value of the contract is £12 million including VAT, with a planned duration from 1 June 2026 to 31 May 2031. An optional two-year extension could take the contract through to May 2033.
The HMWHS is a critical element of the carriers’ operational efficiency, designed to reduce manpower requirements and improve safety and speed in the movement of weapons from magazines to aircraft. The system uses motorised trolleys and hoists to handle heavy ordnance and allows for rapid rearming of aircraft during flight operations.
While the notice does not provide technical specifics, it falls under multiple CPV codes related to engineering support, maintenance, and warship components — including mechanical and electrical services and the supply of specialised spare parts.
This UK1 pipeline notice has been published under the requirements of the Procurement Act 2023, which mandates early visibility of high-value contracts (over £2 million) that are expected to enter a formal tender process within the next 18 months.
Although still at the planning stage, the opportunity may appeal to suppliers with experience in naval weapons systems, automation technology, and engineering support for complex maritime platforms.
More detailed requirements will be set out in a future notice if the programme progresses to the tender stage. The support contract will help ensure the UK’s flagship carriers remain operationally effective and ready to meet global tasking demands.
One issue nags me: what was in place before this deal???
Is that because you think there was nothing at all and if a bit broke it’s still broken?
Or are you just desperate to put things in a negative light for no reason other than pointless speculation about what might have been but almost certainly wasn’t?
No, you Noggs!! My point is, what is currently in place, and is it inferior to this new package? There have been a number of these new contracts in recent weeks, which begs the question of how good were the original agreements.
Fair enough, but there are a lot of speculative negative points made on this website which seems designed to find negative points no matter what the article is about and I caught a whiff of that in your original post.
Also if you bought a new service contract for your washing machine would that be because a) you didn’t have one b) warranty expired c) competitive tender for a new one makes sense as you might get better without the old one being in any way bad?
Honestly though I like the articles here but so many comments start with “well that’s great .. if only we weren’t so crap all the time or by 2050 or it will never happen anyway so why bother etc etc.
Redshift, I agree about negativity, however, some contributors feel genuinely aggravated by successive UK Governments failing defence and yet feed a lot of ‘bunkum’ about just how great everything is at the MOD. Hence, the bloody awful state of the British Army. The other day, I checked out the numbers and equipment the Army held in 2013, and compared to today, it was another universe.
Or you had a deal with Virgin to provide you internet for 10 years, but you signed the deal 10 years ago so now you need a new one.
I must admit the negativity does seem to be getting worse of late. I get it-we do, as a country make a lot of f ups but that’s human nature. We can all see the mistakes but mostly, let’s be honest, after they’re made. Criticise by all means but a little more constructive criticism and a little less negative criticism would be good. It has become very gloomy of late and its a shame as, I believe Redshift is getting at, it makes reading the site more of a bore and a chore rather than informative. Information is why I think most of us are here.
Spot on, you have read my mind!
This is more fantastic news along with all the other fantastic news lately, it shows the highest level of support and ongoing positivity towards carrier ops and capability.
“Ahead full steam”.
Good show that man!