Task Force KINDRED Energetic Material Manufacture

This Prior Information Notice serves to inform industry about an upcoming requirement. Please see the single statement of user need (SSUN) below and further details around the project, including an industry engagement day.

SSUN:

"The User requires a secure supply of a significant quantity of energetic materials for the next 3 years, to support Ukrainian demand. This includes, but is not limited to:

• High explosives for warheads and artillery projectiles
• Propellants for boost/rocket motors and artillery
• Pyrotechnics.”

Overview:

Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion in 2022 has confirmed a critical bottleneck in munitions production, and therefore the availability of energetic materials. The most pressing gaps are rocket motors, warheads, artillery shells and pyrotechnics.

MOD aims to reverse this through a coherent set of significant multi-year investments in UK-based or overseas-based suppliers. This investment will utilise part of the annual £3Bn Ukraine budget and could include investment in facilities and infrastructure.

At this industry day, MOD wishes to

• Bring together industry from all points of the energetics supply chain, from raw materials to manufacturers of the final energetic product.
• Understand industry’s perspective on the issues preventing the energetics supply meeting Ukraine’s needs.
• Understand where TF KINDRED intervention (funding, GFx etc) could deliver an assured supply of energetic material.

We encourage you to participate in the industry day and to explicitly state which part of the problem you are answering within the categories of:

1. High explosives
2. Propellants, particularly for rocket motors
3. Pyrotechnics
4. Raw Ingredients (ammonium, nitric acid etc).

Procurement Approach and timelines:

This industry day will directly inform the next steps. At present, we envision the following:

In Q1 2025, the MOD will invite industry (both in the UK and outside) to submit proposals for a secure 3-year supply of energetic material. These could utilise existing industrial capacity, as well as increase industrial capacity, both in the UK and in other nations.

We envision proposals being evaluated based on costs, anticipated manufacturing capacity, the proposed design philosophy, financial viability, as well as the underpinning understanding of regulatory requirements. Following evaluation, contracts would be placed in 2025.

Industry day information:

The Authority will be holding an industry day on Wednesday 11th December 2024 in London, UK, covering the following aspects:

1. Background
2. Single Statement of User Need
3. The demand signal for energetic material
4. The support TF KINDRED is willing to provide.
5. Industry Q&A

There will be several breakout sessions throughout the day, allowing for more detailed questions and discussions.