UKDI Project PANOPTES: £5m C-UAS competition now open
UKDI has opened a £5 million, two-stage competition for integrated counter-uncrewed aerial system capabilities to protect deployed forces, with stage-one submissions closing 23 September 2026. The short window and force-protection focus suggest MOD wants mature or near-mature solutions, not early-stage research. SMEs already working in detection, defeat, or integrated C-UAS architectures have a narrow but concrete window to compete directly.
Source →Project PANOPTES confirmed via UKDI notice
The formal UKDI competition notice for Project PANOPTES has been published, described as seeking capabilities to defeat mass and low-cost threats in a cost-effective manner. This corroborates the DPRTE report and confirms the competition is live. SMEs should go directly to the UKDI notice for the full scope and submission requirements before the 23 September stage-one deadline.
Source →RAF receives Saab Giraffe 1X radars for C-UAS operations
Saab UK has delivered Giraffe 1X radar systems to the RAF specifically for detection and tracking of uncrewed aerial systems on deployed operations. This confirms a live operational requirement for C-UAS sensing and points to an active procurement cycle in this area. For SMEs in sensor fusion, data processing, or command-and-control integration, this signals where MOD is spending and where integration opportunities with primes may follow.
Source →MOD allocates £50m for field hospital equipment over four years
MOD has allocated up to £50 million over four years to rebuild Defence Medical Services capacity for larger-scale operations, focused on field hospital equipment. The signal does not detail which procurement routes will be used or whether this is already in tender. SMEs in medical logistics, deployable structures, power systems, or medical equipment integration should watch for associated procurement notices.
Source →UKAEA seeks autonomous quadruped for site perimeter patrolling
UKAEA, under the RAICo Programme, has published a Contracts Finder notice seeking a proof-of-concept deployment of Boston Dynamics Spot for autonomous perimeter patrolling to improve situational awareness. This is a named-platform requirement, which narrows the field, but the broader signal is that nuclear site operators are actively trialling autonomous security systems. SMEs offering autonomy software, mission management, or sensor payloads compatible with legged platforms may find adjacent opportunities as this evaluation progresses.
Source →Today's signals cluster tightly around C-UAS and autonomous systems, with live funding and named procurements confirming that MOD and its agencies are moving from concept to deployment across force protection, site security, and sensing.