• A contract notice dated 23 October values Project GRAYBURN, the SA80 replacement, at about £2 billion including VAT, with a contract running from July 2029 to March 2045.
  • The notice says the requirement is at an early stage, is not a call for competition and names no preferred supplier; an industry day is planned and the tender notice is due on 2 July 2027.
  • The UK Defence Journal reports earlier indicative dates were 2028 to 2045, and ministers expect UK manufacture across the whole dismounted close combat weapons portfolio.