The Ministry of Defence is extending support for the RAF’s two Envoy IV business jets by two years at a cost of up to £26 million after the competition intended to deliver their longer-term support and military modification produced only one bid, which was deemed unaffordable, the UK Defence Journal understands.
The contract modification published on 28 August provides further context to the continuing pause in work intended to allow the two Dassault Falcon 900LX aircraft to operate in non-benign airspace, which the UK Defence Journal reported in June has no definitive date for resumption.
The aircraft, known in RAF service as Envoy IV, currently operate from RAF Northolt on the Civil Aircraft Register using a combination of civilian and military pilots. Their existing Phase 1 support contract with Centreline Aviation Limited had been due to expire on 31 March 2027.
Under the original Command Support Air Transport programme, a second phase was intended to provide enduring in-service support and military modifications, alongside transferring the aircraft from the Civil Aircraft Register to the Military Aircraft Register.
The latest procurement notice confirms that the MOD competed that Phase 2 requirement but abandoned the process in late 2025.
The department states: “The CSAT Phase 2 requirement, for enduring in-service support and military modification under the Military Aircraft Register (MAR), was competed under Contract Notice Ref: 2023/S 000-036566. The Invitation to Negotiate was withdrawn on 14 November 2025 due to receipt of only one tender, which was deemed unaffordable.”
The disclosure does not establish that the failed competition was itself the reason the separate work to enable operations in non-benign airspace was paused. It does, however, show that the wider procurement intended to move Envoy IV onto a more enduring military footing had failed before ministers subsequently confirmed that elements of the military modification programme were on hold.
As the UK Defence Journal reported in June, Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty asked the MOD how long work to enable Envoy IV operations in non-benign airspace would remain paused.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard replied: “The work to enable Envoy IV aircraft operations in non-benign airspace has been paused, and there is currently no definitive date for when this activity will recommence. The Department’s programme priorities are kept under regular review to ensure alignment with operational requirements and available resources.”
Pollard had previously told Parliament that several options were being considered to expand the future capability of the aircraft, including military modifications, but said the work was “currently paused whilst other activity has been prioritised.”
The military modification programme was intended to provide capabilities required for operations in more demanding threat environments, including defensive aids, secure communications and the certification necessary for the aircraft to operate under military arrangements. Rather than proceeding with the original Phase 2 procurement, the MOD will now extend the existing Centreline arrangement until 31 March 2029 while preparing another competition.
The department states: “Due to the failure of the Phase 2 competition, the UK MOD intends to modify the existing Phase 1 Contract with Centreline Aviation Limited pursuant to Regulation 72(1)(b) of the Public Contract Regulations 2015.”
The modified contract will provide continued operation and in-service support for both Envoy aircraft, while also covering what the MOD describes as “preparatory and enabling activity associated with potential transition from the CAR to the MAR”. It will maintain airworthiness management, safety case ownership, crew qualifications and operational approvals while the longer-term arrangement is reconsidered.
The wording is significant because the modification provides for preparations associated with a potential transition to military registration rather than announcing the resumption or completion of the military modification programme itself.
The MOD says the extension is required to give it enough time to hold another competition for enduring support through to the aircraft’s planned out-of-service date in April 2037, while allowing at least six months for any new contractor to transition into government-provided facilities at RAF Northolt. According to the notice, the measure is intended to avoid “an interruption to this essential military capability at a time of rising global tension.”
The MOD adds: “The modification will extend the duration of the contract for 2 years and is intended solely as an interim measure. The anticipated maximum value of the modification is £26M.”
The change raises the stated value of the current contract from £80 million to £106 million excluding VAT. The modified arrangement will also become a Qualifying Defence Contract under the Defence Reform Act 2014 and Single Source Contract Regulations.
The Envoy IV aircraft were acquired to replace the RAF’s BAe 146 fleet and entered service in 2022. The original procurement envisaged the Falcons initially operating under civilian registration and contractor airworthiness responsibility before a subsequent military phase moved them onto the Military Aircraft Register and established their enduring support model.
For now, Centreline will continue operating and maintaining the two aircraft through March 2029 while the MOD reruns the competition, with the separate work required to enable Envoy IV operations in non-benign airspace remaining without a publicly stated restart date.
