Scope
Reference
A400M-097 Extension
Description
The extension of the existing A400M-097 contract for national in-service support services for the Atlas A400M Airframe, including Base Maintenance Services, Line and Line Support Services and Continuing Airworthiness Management Support Service
Contract 1. A400M UK Medium Term Aircraft In-Service Support Contract Extension
Supplier
Contract value
- £265,000,000 excluding VAT
- £265,000,000 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Earliest date the contract will be signed
30 September 2026
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 October 2026 to 30 April 2029
- Possible extension to 30 April 2030
- 3 years, 7 months
Description of possible extension:
1-year extension option for use by the Authority on need to avoid contract gap
Main procurement category
Services
Options
The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.
1-year extension option for use by the Authority on need to avoid contract gap (as per extension details), this is for the same services as the core extension for a further period
CPV classifications
- 50211100 - Aircraft maintenance services
Contract locations
- UK - United Kingdom
- ES - Spain
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Direct award
Special regime
Defence and security
Direct award justification
Single supplier - technical reasons
It is considered that this contract can be awarded in accordance with the justification set out in paragraph 6 of Schedule 5 to the Procurement Act 2023 where competition is absence for technical reasons.
AMSL hold the unique position of being the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and Design Authority (DA) for the A400M aircraft, as well as the provider of common in-service support under the Global Support Step (GSS) arrangement for benefit of all partner nations who co-operated in procuring the design, development and manufacture of the A400m aircraft. In order to provide the required national in-service support services there is specific access, technical know-how and specific interoperability with the GSS arrangement which could only be provided by AMSL.
In addition, performance of the national in-service support services is subject to Maintenance Approved Organisation Scheme (MAOS) approval, with all Maintenance Organisations conducting maintenance or repair on UK military registered aircraft required to hold MRP Part 145 approval in accordance with Military Aviation Authority (MAA) Regulatory Article (RA) 4800 series. AMSL as the OEM and DA is uniquely positioned to manage and sustain compliance with the complex regulatory regime applicable to the A400M programme to ensure coherence and seamless integration between the multiple regulated organisational approvals (including the Co-Ordinating Design Organisation, Approved Maintenance Organisation, Contractor Flying Approved Organisation and Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation) to deliver a safe and effective enterprise.
Further the A400M aircraft is yet to attain full military operating capability, with AMSL iteratively upgrading the capability and delivering a concurrent retrofit programme. As a result, the build standard of the A400M aircraft remains subject to substantial change and consequentially the platform and its components, design and proven performance remain at a relatively early stage of maturity. As such it is impractical to contract national in-service support services with another economic operator and would pose intolerable risk to the capability, effectiveness, readiness and safety of the A400M Atlas aircraft.
In summary, AMSL are the only economic operator with the in-depth knowledge, experience and technical know-how to perform the services, whilst ensuring regulatory compliance, satisfaction of interoperability and airworthiness requirements, and delivering the availability for deployment of military operational aircraft that meet the needs of Defence.
Supplier
Airbus Military Sociedad Limitada (AMSL) [Airbus Defence and Space Limited]
- Companies House: 02449259
Calle Aviocar, 2, 28906 Getafe, Madrid, Spain
Madrid
28906
Spain
Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No
Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No
Contract 1. A400M UK Medium Term Aircraft In-Service Support Contract Extension
Contracting authority
Defence Equipment and Support
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVRL-5831-GLMM
MOD Abbey Wood
Bristol
BS34 8JH
United Kingdom
Email: Matthew.Jones525@mod.gov.uk
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-equipment-and-support
Region: UKK12 - Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire
Organisation type: Public authority - central government