The UK is preparing to launch a major long term procurement programme for military tactical communications, with a newly updated pipeline notice outlining plans for a framework worth up to £8 billion excluding VAT, according to a pipeline notice.
The notice, published on 11 December, covers future procurement under the reference RM6393 and sets out an intention to establish a framework for specialised military grade tactical communication and information systems. The framework is expected to support UK defence and wider security users over an eight year period, running from June 2026 to June 2034.
According to the notice, the requirement will cover “specialised military grade tactical communication and information systems, including hardware, software and associated design and implementation and support services.” These systems are intended for use in active battlefield environments, where reliable and secure communications are essential for real time operational decision making.
The scope of the framework is broad. The description states that the systems are to be “deployed in active battlefield environments for critical real-time operational tactical communications” and may also have “potential cross government Defence and Security sectoral applications.” This suggests the framework could be used beyond the Armed Forces, potentially supporting other departments with security or operational responsibilities.
The pipeline notice indicates that the framework will expand on existing arrangements under Lot 1c of the RM6116 Network Services 3 agreement. Unlike that earlier framework, the new arrangement is expected to place greater emphasis on integrated solutions, including system design, implementation, ongoing support, and software provision.
In commercial terms, the programme represents one of the largest communications related procurements currently signalled by the UK government. The estimated total value is listed as £8 billion excluding VAT, or £9.6 billion including VAT, although pipeline notices do not guarantee that the full value will be committed.
The planned commercial tool is a framework agreement, rather than a single contract award. This would allow multiple suppliers to be appointed and enable departments to compete specific requirements over time, rather than relying on a single provider. The main category for the procurement is listed as services, reflecting the emphasis on integration, support, and lifecycle management rather than standalone equipment purchases.
While the pipeline notice does not name specific programmes or platforms, it provides early visibility to industry ahead of a planned tender notice. The estimated publication date for the tender is 7 January 2026, indicating that formal competition could begin shortly after the start of the next calendar year. Pipeline notices are used to signal future procurement activity and do not commit the government to proceed as described.
So we are preparing to launch a long term program with an updated pipeline notice outlining plans for a framework.
Is there some sort of Unidivercity place that teaches all this guff ?
Think I just spotted a Dolphin, might have been a Shag though, actually come to think of it, It’s probably just a Seagul !
Almost a billion a year for comms? I get it’s important but wouldn’t that money be better spent on something that can actually defend us/attack our enemies? For that kind of money you could double our frigate fleet surely?
Can’t beat a good plan👍
We should get the MPU5 its what nato uses. We need to talk to NATO at all levels especially tactically over Comms. But then again if goes like bowman which is a epic tall of what ifs and it works in the right environment etc.
I am expecting something that looks like it, costs more dose less has a long and expensive upgrade package and so many despoke parts it costs hundreds of thousands of pounds for something that looks like an 90s wally tally with less range.
Bang goes a large armoured vehicle procurement for the British Army. By the time the Ajax fiasco is resolved, our troops could end up using restored US Bradleys or worse, due to expenditure such as this project. However, it must be deemed essential, and I’m not qualified to know otherwise. Surprisingly, a lot of taxpayers’ money is going on new missile systems at the moment, which could render conventional battlefield methods redundant, so maybe we don’t need large numbers of armoured vehicles as most of us think?
Nope, we just need a Tank, a “think tank” !
Interestingly, the latest US military budget gives land warfare just $4bn out of $900.6bn for FY26. Now that places a different priority on their force expenditure.