Cost & Capability of Low-Cost Remotely Operated Uncrewed Surface Vehicle
Summary
The Ministry of Defence has issued a preliminary market engagement notice under the Procurement Act 2023 seeking industry input on converting Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) into remotely operated Uncrewed Surface Vehicles (USVs) for naval exercise use as mobile targets. The UK MoD aims to assess low-cost options estimated at approximately sub £60,000 to expedite Royal Navy trials and experimentation. Responses are requested by 30 April 2026.
What changed
The MoD published a Prior Information Notice (PIN) under the Procurement Act 2023 seeking industry feedback on low-cost USV capabilities for naval target use. The notice describes requirements for converting RHIBs or similar vessels into remotely operated USVs at an estimated cost of sub £60,000, with potential contract period from 4 July 2026 to 4 July 2027.
Suppliers interested in this market engagement opportunity should submit responses to the contact email by 30 April 2026. This notice does not constitute a formal contract award but signals future procurement activity in the maritime autonomous systems sector.
Archived snapshot
Apr 19, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Planning
Cost & Capability of Low-Cost Remotely Operated Uncrewed Surface Vehicle
- Ministry of Defence UK2: Preliminary market engagement notice - Procurement Act 2023 - view information about notice types
Notice identifier: 2026/S 000-035420
Procurement identifier (OCID): ocds-h6vhtk-0685d0
Published 19 April 2026, 9:56am
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Contents
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Scope
Description
The Royal Navy is keen to understand the industry options available for the conversion of a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB), or similar vessel, into a remotely operated uncrewed surface vehicle (USV), to be used as a mobile target in various Naval exercises.
Acknowledging the global proliferation of these systems, the goal is to assess the specifications of low-cost options (c. sub £60,000), to further expedite Royal Navy trials and experimentation.
Contract dates (estimated)
- 4 July 2026 to 4 July 2027
- 1 year, 1 day
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
Boats
Engagement
Engagement deadline
30 April 2026
Engagement process description
For full details of this RFI. please see attached document at this link:
https://www.contractsfinder.service.gov.uk/Notice/78ba1318-3c35-4f1b-b559-22525bae9adc
Submission
Publication date of tender notice (estimated)
1 May 2026
Contracting authority
Ministry of Defence
- Public Procurement Organisation Number: PHVX-4316-ZVGZ WHALE ISLAND
PORTSMOUTH
PO2 8BY
United Kingdom
Email: NAVYCOMRCL-RFI@mod.gov.uk
Website: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence
Region: UKJ31 - Portsmouth
Organisation type: Public authority - central government
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