Lancaster Aircraft Mainwheel Hub Assembly Production and Support Contract

The UK Ministry of Defence Defence Equipment & Support division seeks to award a contract for the production and in-service support of Lancaster Mainwheel Hub Assemblies, critical components required for the continued airworthiness and safe operation of Lancaster aircraft operated by the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (BBMF). This is a single-source direct award contract intended for Retrotec Limited, who serves as the only approved Design Organisation (DO) for this component as mandated by the Military Aviation Authority (MAA). The contract will run for approximately two years from February 2026 to February 2028, with an estimated value of £1 million excluding VAT. The direct award is justified under Section 41 of the Procurement Act 2023 due to the absence of competition for technical reasons and the lack of alternative suppliers capable of meeting the specialized technical requirements and airworthiness certifications necessary for Lancaster aircraft component production.