The Ministry of Defence has launched a tender for a surface finishing contract covering all fixed and rotary wing aircraft across RAF stations in the UK and at UK Strategic Command permanent joint operating bases overseas, with an estimated value of just under GBP 100 million excluding VAT and a contract period running from April 2027 to April 2037 with an option to extend by a further two years.
The tender notice, published on 22 April, describes the requirement as providing “a Surface Finishing capability for fixed and rotary wing aircraft, in order to support the maintenance of the airworthiness of the platforms in question as mandated by the respective Platform Engineering Authorities”, with the scope also covering airfield support equipment including mechanical transport and ground support equipment “in order to assist in corrosion control and visual signature control in accordance with current policies”, as well as miscellaneous station support tasks including the production of signage.
The contract is currently at tender stage, with suppliers required to complete a pre-selection questionnaire by 15 May 2026 to demonstrate suitability, technical and professional capability and financial standing, with those passing that stage potentially invited to a subsequent tender stage that may include refinement of requirements and negotiation before final submission. An award decision is expected by October 2026, ahead of the contract start date of April 2027.
Surface finishing is a critical element of military aircraft maintenance, with paint systems providing the primary barrier against corrosion on both metallic and composite airframes, and the visual signature control requirement reflecting the need to maintain low-observable finishes across the fleet.
I’ll say it first… British company allowed to repaint F35s? Thought the radar absorbent finish would be a fairly technical and highly classified paint job. Just a thought…
I heard that Labour are looking at a “Whitewash” option.
What is the better option? The conservatives destroyed the military through outsourcing everything at heavy costs and constant cuts to the budget and reform are made up of a load of ex conservative PMs and uncomfortably pro Putin.
I was just Joking 🤦♂️
Would guess the radar absorbing parts are, but they won’t cover the whole aircraft.
They are painted at RAF Marham. And a radar cross section measuring facility will also be constructed at Marham.
DM,
This Is your chance.
“I see a red door and I want to paint It Black”
“I wanna be a Painter, be a Painter, paint It Black”
It’s the drugs. 😊
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why cant we seem to do anything ourselves anymore.
always relying on others to do what we should be doing.
[ don’t tell me? Money??
The RAF doesn’t paint its own aircraft and hasn’t for years. The RAF has paint workshops for special liveries and battlefield repair and maintenance. But they don’t paint the whole aircraft. That happens at manufacture or currently by SERCO.
No doubt a more expensive option using Serco rather than in house painters and dopers
Probably not. That’s why it will be outsourced.
I thought Serco had form with this Speciality ?.
The RAF dissolved the Painter and Finisher trade in 2006 under the Labour Party cuts where the RAF reduced manpower from 50,000 to 41,000, also contracting other capabilities in the process. It’s unfortunate this capability is now contracted with the loss of around 350 RAF service posts which often deployed globally supporting various military roles.
……..And the lowest price is submitted by The Putin Painting Corporation, FSB Quality Assured testimonials provided by Messrs. Witkoff and Kushner.
Have bucket of valspar will travel.
I could do with another business.
I’m sure there’s a painters around the corner that can do it for £500 and a can of larger.