NOCTIS-2

On behalf of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), the National Armaments Director Group (NADG) (previously known as Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S)) has published a UK 1 Notice & UK2 purely for information purposes. The Authority would now like to formally engage with industry via this UK4 Notice, through the Defence Sourcing Portal (DSP) which can be found here: https://contracts.mod.uk/go/56376600019F17DB668E

The NADG and UK Space Command (UK Sp Cmd) have initiated Project NOCTIS 2 to explore options for enhancing the UK’s Space Domain Awareness (SDA) capability in response to increasing activity and congestion in the space domain.

The project aims to strengthen the UK’s ability to understand the space environment and support effective space operations. It will contribute to the provision of timely awareness of orbital activity to authorised UK Space Command users and support informed decision making.

The project aligns with the Defence Space Strategy (DSS), which commits the UK to increasing cross governmental and international collaboration on new technologies and innovative approaches to space capability development.

The project is expected to follow a phased acquisition approach, potentially including:

• Equipment design and construction
• Sensor installation
• Operation and through life support

Requirement

Due to security considerations, participation is limited to organisations with a registered UK legal entity. Parent companies headquartered outside the UK may participate subject to agreement by the Authority, with all activity conducted through the UK registered entity.

The project requires that all data processing and storage, where not performed on site, is conducted within the United Kingdom.

The project scope includes the potential procurement, installation and through life support of ground based space surveillance sensors, including optical systems and associated infrastructure. NOCTIS-2 will focus on enhancing overall system capabilities, addressing a broad range of operational areas, and supporting ongoing research and development activities..

Sensors and their associated housing or infrastructure are expected to be procured as an integrated solution under this contract.

The Cyber Risk Profile for this procurement identified by the Cyber Risk Assessment is Level 2.

As part of the Preliminary Market Engagement, the Authority held an Industry Day on the 27th of March 2026 to inform industry of the NOCTIS-2 requirements. The presentation slides are at Annex A of the PSQ released on DSP.

The anticipated NOCTIS-2 contract shall be three (3) years from 2027 to 2030, plus options (1+1) (subject to approvals) from Contract Award (CA). The final confirmed duration including any Contractual Option(s), and/ or break points will be provided in the ITT documentation.