MHC Block 2 Procurement of IFFs, Associated Equipment and Support

Description

Procurement of 12 Mode 5 IFF sets along with supporting equipment, and support activities.

Key facts

Procedure

Direct award

Lots

1

Contact

Liz Sedgbeer

DESCommercial-MHC-MS@mod.gov.uk

Contract period

18 Dec 2026 → 31 Aug 2028

Value incl. VAT

£9.6m

Category

goods

Awarded suppliers

• Leonardo (UK) Ltd · GB-PPON-PTZR-4468-QGLG · UKI32, GB

Ground given for limiting competition

The buyer’s own stated reason for awarding without open competition, as published. Their assertion, not a finding.

The Mine Hunting Capability Team, part of the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD), intends to award a contract to Leonardo UK Ltd (Leonardo) for the provision of M428 Mode 5 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) systems which are used by the Royal Navy on uncrewed surface vessels and other platforms. The proposed contract will be for a term of 21 months, with options to procure additional quantities of IFF systems which may extend the contract term to a total of 60 months. The proposed contract has an estimated total value (including options) of £9,600,000 (inclusive of VAT). It is considered that this contract can be awarded under Section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023 because the direct award justification specified in paragraph 7 of Schedule 5 (single supplier – additional or repeat goods or services) applies. This is because the contract is intended to be for the additional supply of IFF systems by Leonardo. IFF systems are critical for ensuring the safety of Royal Navy personnel and assets by enabling the identification of friendly forces and distinguishing them from potential threats. The IFF systems need to seamlessly integrate and interoperate with existing IFF systems and those of allied nations. Leonardo is the original equipment manufacturer and is the only supplier who can provide the IFF systems that meet the contract requirements. Receiving the systems from another supplier would result in incompatibility and interoperability issues with existing equipment, which would lead to disproportionate technical difficulties in operation.