An acquisition announcement has revealed that the Ministry of Defence is preparing to bestow a £2.5 million contract upon AEBI Schmidt UK Limited. This agreement is intended for the upkeep and operational backing of specialized airfield clearance and de-icing vehicles.
A UK5 transparency report, issued by Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) on February 18, 2026, details that the agreement will encompass ongoing operational assistance for Airfield Surface Sweeping Vehicles, Snow Clearance Vehicles, and Liquid Airfield De-Icier Sprayers, which are employed to sustain military aviation facilities.
The announcement specifies that three current agreements for airfield clearing are set to conclude by March 31, 2026. Consequently, the MOD plans to consolidate these into one unified deal, as part of an extended framework. DE&S clarified that this agreement’s prolongation aims to avert any operational shortfall while a subsequent competitive tender proceeds. Assistance tasks will involve repairs, upkeep, and the acquisition of replacement components.
The agreement carries a worth of £2.5 million before value-added tax, or £3 million once VAT is factored in. Its operational period is anticipated to be from April 1, 2026, until March 31, 2027, with a possibility for prolongation until March 31, 2028. The MOD plans to grant this deal via a sole-source procurement method, justifying this by citing “technical reasons pertaining to a sole provider.”
Per the announcement, AEBI Schmidt functions as the initial equipment producer for these machines and has provided backing for the vehicle collection since its deployment in 2007. DE&S stated that solely the OEM possesses the requisite technical expertise and entry to specialized components needed to fulfill the maintenance demands within the allotted period, further noting the absence of viable substitutes.
The agreement’s anticipated earliest signing date is March 31, 2026.