Britain Launches Atlantic Surveillance Drone Network Project
The UK has initiated a tender for Atlantic Net, the first phase of Project CABOT, aiming to provide uncrewed surveillance for the Royal Navy through a contractor-operated model.
The tender consists of two lots: the first will appoint Commercial Mission Partners, each receiving an individual call-off contract outlining specific milestones, deliverables, and commercial terms. The second lot will establish a Potential Supplier Pool for additional firms with relevant technologies or services.
The procurement is exempt from the Procurement Act 2023 under Defence Intelligence and National Security Grounds, but the MOD intends to follow the spirit of the act where possible.
The MOD added that it intends to "follow the spirit of the Procurement Act where possible, hence the open publication of this notice.
Author's summary: UK launches Atlantic Net project for surveillance drones.