The Ministry of Defence has signalled its intent to launch a major procurement programme, Project TELUM, aimed at delivering light powered training aircraft, qualified flying instructors, and support services to underpin military flying training and air experience schemes across the UK, according to a pipeline notice published on 5 August 2025.
The project is valued at up to £403.2 million including VAT and will run from 2030 to 2040, with a possible five-year extension. It is intended to support a wide range of tasks, from Air Experience Flying for MOD-sponsored cadets to Flying Grading and Streaming for the Royal Navy and Army.
According to the notice, Project TELUM will provide a “ground and flying training capability… using a suitably capable light flying training aircraft supported by robust core services.” These services will include engineering and other essential support functions at permanent sites across the UK.
The capability is designed to support University Air Squadrons, attract and inspire future RAF personnel, and provide critical non-established flying tasks for defence.
The MoD plans to formally publish a tender in October 2026. The procurement will be conducted via a direct award process under the terms of the Procurement Act 2023. The Ministry has indicated that the project is particularly suitable for participation by small and medium-sized enterprises.
Replacing the Tutor T1
Project TELUM will succeed the Grob 115E Tutor T Mk1, a versatile and long-serving training aircraft used across all three UK armed services. The Tutor has been central to Elementary Flying Training, pilot grading, and air experience since its introduction.
Used by 15 University Air Squadrons and 13 Air Experience Flights across the UK, the Tutor has introduced thousands of cadets and students to military flying. It is powered by a Textron Lycoming AE-360-B piston engine delivering 180 horsepower, and is capable of a maximum speed of 185 knots with a service ceiling of 10,000 feet.
While well-suited to training and grading missions, the Tutor fleet is approaching the end of its service life, and Project TELUM is intended to ensure continuity and modernisation of this critical entry point into military aviation.
When you consider the UAS pays students to learn to fly, you do wonder why the RAF still has problems recruiting.
Maybe lack of positions/aircraft/faith in a long career ?
The article says that “Tutor has introduced thousands of cadets and students to military flying” yet how many Pilots and aircraft have we actually got ? Hawk numbers have been decimated too.
“On a wing and a Prayer”.
90 ish tutors.
It was more a question of How many Aircraft and Pilots do the RAF have now and how many of the “Thousands of cadets and students” actually went on to fly ?
Per Ardua ad Astra!
if you aren’t on a bursary or interested in being aircrew the UAS don’t wan to know you. Personal experience from admittedly long ago when I was planning to be an engineering officer. They pointed me to the OTC – Hurrah for the CRE! 😉
Oh another do it next year or a bit later no rush MOD project, every thing is always later, take as long as you like. All talk but not a lot else as has been for a least a year now, Every one waiting to see what we order in Winter, that may or may not get in to service 2 to 3 years from now if you are lucky, and how much we order.
We are World beaters at establishing new projects. The Russians will be shaking in their boots … if they can find any.
We are, bugger all else though.
No it’s not a wait and see what we order, we don’t own the planes ! MOD have to renew their existing 25 year PFI contract as it’s running out (planes are owned by and training provided by Babcock). Whats more as it’s a Direct award so they already have the contractor identified. So probably Babcock with the existing planes or new ones.
We do not seem to own a lot, Tankers etc, and all this meant to save money?
Well in this case yes it probably does save money ! The aircraft have zero military use, are relatively cheap and we aren’t using the convoluted, mega expensive MOD procurement system which would probably take 5 years and result in fewer Aircraft due to Gold plating it.
And then if it in house it’s got to be RAF staffed, maintained and crewed and also a fully funded military staffing structure (probably,y stuffed with side lined officers).
I hate most PFI’s with a vengeance but basic flying lessons or introduction flights is probably best left to a civilian contractor, and someone at MODs end to manage the contract against T’s n C’s.
Let’s face it the UK military don’t do cheap and cheerful.
True the military do like bis spoke things, 6 billion for the Tanker fleet so far, is that saving money?
Assume a COCO contract with a few RAF instructors.
Is that COCO the clown or the COCO we drink to help us all nod off and relive the tedium while we wait for some money to spent?
Mind you that would be a very long nap….
A mix of both with MoD HMG on defence.
To be precise, for those unaware – COCO.
Contractor owned, contractor operated.
I believe the RAF do not own the current Grob Tutors either.
I prefer GOCO (Government owned, contractor operated).
Me too.
That’s what I wanted then to do with H&W Belfast, it’s the last Shipyard that can build or refit 15k+ ships. HMG spent a fortune redeveloping it in the 60’s / 70’s and to me GOCO was the ideal solution. The Australians seem to have it nailed for their building programmes and the US have uses it for decades (BAe do a lot of their US business that way).
But to be honest a 2 seat light aircraft isn’t in the same league so COCO is probably cost effective.
I was being facetious…
You were mate. I expanded anyway.
Odd wording it’s being done as a “direct award” but then says it’s suitable for a SME, AFAIK it’s presently carried out by Babcock as a 25 year PFi !
Babcock are hardly a SME 🤣
Certainly both times when I did AEF at Benson the ground staff and equipment were Babcock but the pilots were RAF or ex-RAF volunteers.
Ah. I thought earlier you’d not posted for a while mate.
Yes, ex RAF and current.
A two week holiday, unfortunately 😁
I’m on work experience now with long commutes, will have plenty of time to read and post.
I got lucky with my last pilot, he was both ex Typhoon and an old boy from my school!
I think the MOD include these in airframe stats, which is misleading.
Naieve question: Why does everything the MoD does have to be so expensive?
They could buy 6428 Eurofoxes for that sort of money.
It is just for basic training, learning to fly… Doesn’t need to be capable of carrying weapons or tanks, right?
This isn’t just the cost of the planes. It’s the cost of providing training services, including the planes, flying instructors, support, engineering at 15 sites for 10 years. Roughly £2.7m per site per annum, inflation incorporated.
But you are right. No tanks.
I don’t understand why we can’t get on and order from Swift Aircraft their new light aircraft, built in Britain. Additionally Aeralis for the new light jet trainer which we be built in Britain. I do agree our projects always seem to be so expensive. There is an element of following the money!!! Us poor taxpayers always get hammered, Nick