Award

Lightning Air System National Capability Enterprise 28-32

  • Defence Equipment and Support

UK5: Transparency notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types

Notice identifier: 2025/S 000-070660

Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-05d96e (view related notices)

Published 4 November 2025, 8:49am



Scope

Reference

715712464

Description

The LANCE 28-32 contract will be the National Support Solution (NSS) for the UK’s F-35 fleet. It comprises the tailored, Freedom of Action (FoA) services that together with the broader F-35 Program Global Support Solution (GSS) provide sustainment support. LANCE 28-32 services will be delivered by the Contractor at the Main Operating Base (MOB) and when deployed and embarked. Services will include operations, technical, maintenance, training, logistics and facilities management support.


Contract 1. Lightning Air System National Capability Enterprise 28-32

Supplier

Contract value

  • £220,000,000 excluding VAT
  • £264,000,000 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold

Earliest date the contract will be signed

29 October 2027

Contract dates (estimated)

  • 1 January 2028 to 31 December 2032
  • Possible extension to 31 December 2033
  • 6 years

Description of possible extension:

Additional year of contracted services.

Main procurement category

Services

Options

The right to additional purchases while the contract is valid.

This will be further defined prior to release of tender, but may include services such as additional training services.

CPV classifications

  • 50210000 - Repair, maintenance and associated services related to aircraft and other equipment
  • 80650000 - Training and simulation in aircrafts, missiles and spacecrafts

Contract locations

  • UK - United Kingdom

Other information

Conflicts assessment prepared/revised

Yes


Procedure

Procedure type

Direct award

Special regime

Defence and security

Direct award justification

Single supplier - technical reasons

The Lightning Team, part of the UK Ministry of Defence, intends to award a contract to Lockheed Martin UK Ltd (LM UK) for services to sustain the UK F-35 Lightning Aircraft (Aircraft). The contract will be for a term of 5 years and have an estimated value of £220 million (exclusive 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 6 of Schedule 5 (single supplier – technical reasons) applies.

This is because the services required under this contract (training, maintenance and management) are currently provided by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the Aircraft, Lockheed Martin Corporation procured through the US Joint Program Office (JPO) for the Lightning Programme, and LM UK is its wholly owned subsidiary. Only the OEM or one of its group companies has the required technical drawings, tools, knowledge and expertise to provide these services and there is no reasonable alternative.


Supplier

Lockheed Martin UK Ltd

  • Companies House: 02372738

Building 7000, Langstone Park, Langstone

Havant, Hampshire

PO9 1SW

United Kingdom

Region: UKJ35 - South Hampshire

Small or medium-sized enterprise (SME): No

Voluntary, community or social enterprise (VCSE): No

Contract 1. Lightning Air System National Capability Enterprise 28-32


Contracting authority

Defence Equipment and Support

  • Public Procurement Organisation Number: PVRL-5831-GLMM

MOD Abbey Wood

Bristol

BS34 8JH

United Kingdom

Region: UKK12 - Bath and North East Somerset, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire

Organisation type: Public authority - central government