Army Collective Training Service (ACTS) procurement is live
The British Army is procuring a Strategic Training Partner to replace collective training capabilities that have reached the end of their technical and contractual lives. This is a significant programme-level opportunity, not a small call-off, and the STP will deliver alongside the Army rather than simply supply a product. SMEs working in simulation, synthetic environments, training systems, or managed training services should note this as a potential subcontract or teaming target, as a prime will likely lead the STP bid.
RAF Apprenticeships: Learner Management System tender
The MOD is seeking a Learner Management System specifically built to support online apprenticeship training and remote tracking of apprentice progression to End Point Assessment for the RAF programme. Details on value and timeline are limited in the signal, but this is a live procurement. SMEs with defence-cleared LMS or digital learning platforms, or those on relevant frameworks, should look at the DPRTE listing directly.
MOD awards £800k contract for rapid-deployable air raid warning system at RAF Akrotiri
MOD awarded an £800,000 contract for a portable air raid warning system covering RAF Akrotiri and the adjacent village in Cyprus, following an open competition that attracted bids from two SMEs. The fact that only two SMEs bid and the competition was open signals that this category of deployable warning and force protection infrastructure is accessible at SME scale. Other bases with ageing or absent warning infrastructure may follow a similar procurement route.
Inzpire awarded £502k contract to train Ukrainian Air Force pilots
MOD is awarding Inzpire a contract worth £502k to deliver air warfare education and training to the Ukrainian Air Force, covering approximately 20 weeks of instruction per year. This confirms that Ukraine training contracts are flowing through named UK SMEs at values that are viable for small firms, not just primes. SMEs with specialist military training, tactics, or simulation capability, particularly air domain, should be watching the Ukraine Defence Support pipeline closely.
BAE Systems completes phase one of DARPA radar cooling programme, funded into phase two
BAE Systems has completed the first phase of a DARPA programme focused on removing heat from RF electronics and has received funding to proceed to phase two. This is a US-funded BAE programme, not a UK MOD tender, so there is no direct procurement opportunity here. However, it points toward growing demand for thermal management solutions in high-power RF and radar systems, which is relevant for UK SMEs in electronic warfare, C4ISR, or advanced materials who may see similar requirements emerge through DE&S or DASA channels.
MOD is moving simultaneously on training modernisation, deployed force protection, and Ukraine support contracts, all at scales and structures accessible to SMEs.