UKDI Launches Project PANOPTES: Counter-Mass Drone Threats
UKDI has opened a new competition, Project PANOPTES, seeking capability to defeat mass and low-cost threats in a cost-effective manner. This is a direct funding opportunity for SMEs working in counter-UAS, directed energy, electronic warfare, or sensor fusion. The framing around "mass and low-cost threats" signals the MOD wants affordable, scalable solutions rather than high-end platform responses.
Source →Army Seeks FPV Drone Training Suppliers Under Project UBIQUITY
The British Army has issued an expression of interest for affordable, scalable first-person view drone training systems as part of Project UBIQUITY. This is a live market engagement, not a contract award, meaning there is still a window to respond and shape the requirement. SMEs working in UAS training, simulation, or FPV hardware are the direct target audience here.
Source →Passive Drone Detection Deployed at UK Army Base in Six Months
UKDI has published a case study on two suppliers who delivered passive drone detection systems to a UK Army base within six months of award. This is worth reading for the delivery model it demonstrates: fast procurement, small supplier, operational deployment. It also signals that the Army is actively fielding counter-drone capability through UKDI routes, which reinforces the relevance of Project PANOPTES above.
Source →MOD Plans Direct Award for Warship Electronic Chart and Combat System Interface Unit
The National Armaments Director Group intends to award a contract for the design, manufacture, installation, and assurance of a replacement WECDIS Interface Unit and Combat System Interface Unit for Royal Navy warships. Details on value and timeline are limited in the signal, but this is a niche maritime electronics requirement pointing toward ongoing combat system modernisation activity. SMEs in naval electronics, systems integration, or maritime C2 should note the intent-to-award notice and assess whether a prior information route or future similar requirement applies to them.
Source →War Books Rewrite Signals Near-Term Home Defence Planning Contracts
The government has committed to rewriting the War Books by the end of 2026 as part of an accelerated Home Defence Programme. This is a policy signal, not a procurement notice, so no contract is open yet. However, it points toward near-term demand for services and capability in civil contingency planning, resilience, communications, and protective security, areas where defence-adjacent SMEs sometimes have relevant cross-over work.
Source →Today's edition is dominated by active MOD procurement and market engagement in the counter-UAS and drone domain, with PANOPTES and UBIQUITY both live, sitting alongside broader signals of accelerated defence planning and naval system modernisation.