The Royal Navy is inviting organisations to register their interest in preliminary market engagement for the Type 93 and AUKUS Signature Payload Programme. The Royal Navy seeks to improve its understanding of the market and wider ecosystem for Extra-Large Uncrewed Underwater Vehicle (XLUUV) platforms, associated payloads, and enabling functions. This activity supports the development of the Type 93 capability and the Royal Navy’s commitments under the AUKUS Pillar II Signature Project. The purpose of the registration of interest is to gather a comprehensive list of interested suppliers for XLUUV market segments and the wider ecosystem. This includes, but is not limited to: XLUUV platform providers, payload providers, relevant technology and software suppliers including Autonomy, AI and Mission Management Systems, integrators, through-life support providers, and other relevant suppliers. Suppliers who register their interest through this notice may be invited to participate in subsequent preliminary market engagement activities, including but not limited to, collaborative workshops, 1:1 meetings, industry days, and written requests for information (RFIs). Responses will be used to inform requirements development, and future market engagement and wider programme planning. The Royal Navy is initially considering platforms approximately 2 metres in diameter and 12 metres in length, however organisations offering platforms of other dimensions are also encouraged to register. This notice should not be considered as a commitment from the Royal Navy to progress with any future procurement activities. The programme directly aligns with the Strategic Defence Review (SDR), Defence Investment Plan (DIP) and AUKUS Pillar II priorities, supporting the transition to a Hybrid Navy through the integration of autonomous and uncrewed maritime capabilities. The value of £1 and contract duration of 12 months should be regarded as nominal and will be updated via future notice(s) as the programme progresses, figures and dates mature, and are subsequently confirmed.

Procurement Act 2023

Defence security

By registering interest, organisations confirm they are content to be contacted and engaged by the Royal Navy for preliminary market engagement activity. This registration is not a commitment by the Royal Navy or the organisation to participate in any future procurement activity. The Royal Navy will use the registered list of interested organisations and stakeholders to keep them informed about the programme and notify them of future engagement opportunities. Organisations should access and complete the registered interest form using the following Microst Forms link: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/nj6YzhQSRi Responses should aim to be submitted by 29 October 17:00 (GMT) 2026, however, registration will remain open during the preliminary engagement programme. If you have any questions, they can be sent to [email protected]. All information provided in the form should be at classification: OFFICIAL. Following the review of registration responses, the Royal Navy may invite a limited number of organisations to further preliminary market engagement activity. Involvement will be based on relevance to the event themes and the need to obtain useful and representative market insight. Organisations not invited to a workshop may still have their written responses considered for market-engagement purposes and will not be precluded from further engagement.   Participation in all preliminary market engagement is voluntary and at each organisation’s own cost. Participation does not constitute pre-qualification and will confer no advantage or disadvantage in any potential future procurement. This notice should not be considered as a commitment from the Royal Navy to progress with any future procurement activities.