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Project VENTURE

Ministry of Defence · Central government

In brief

Ministry of Defence has announced plans to buy this contract. This is an early notice: there is nothing to bid on yet, but it tells you a tender may follow.

The estimated value is £50,000,000 excluding VAT.

The contract runs for 7 years, up to 12 years with extensions, starting 1 April 2028.

Built from the notice's own fields. Always check the official notice before you bid.

Can I win this?

Competition

Usually low: a median of 2 bids per contract for this buyer (from 88 awards in the last 12 months).

What the notice says

Project VENTURE for the provision of future gliding equipment and services. Gliding provides a distinctive capability as the unique selling point that inspires and attracts young people to join the RAF Air Cadets, whilst contributing significantly towards interest in a career in the Royal Air Force (RAF). Project VENTURE will deliver capability based around the current training glider; a conventional tandem-seat sailplane with high-performance soaring and aerobatic capability. This will be supported by new or refurbished equipment, robust core services, provision of spares, and post design services. Support services will include winch maintenance, aerotow capability, glider maintenance and engineering, managing safety equipment, and associated services delivered through Volunteer Gliding Schools at 10 permanent sites across the UK. The project’s vision is for a more modern and efficient gliding capability that is safely delivered across multiple sites, and which demonstrates the RAF ethos, so that gliding contributes significantly towards inspiring and attracting a broader cross-section of air-minded young people to join Defence.

How to bid

  1. Read the full notice on Find a Tender, including any tender documents it links to.
  2. Register your organisation on the Central Digital Platform (through Find a Tender) if you have not already. Suppliers need to be registered to take part in procurements under the Procurement Act 2023.
  3. Follow the submission instructions in the notice; it does not name an e-tendering portal.

Timeline

  1. Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 068111-2026
  2. Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 076399-2026
  3. Preliminary market engagement notice · UK2, notice 085542-2026

About the buyer

From notice 068111-2026 on Find a Tender, first published 20 July 2026, last updated 9 September 2026. We last checked for changes on 28 September 2026.