Ministry of Defence

Request for Information - Persistent Surveillance (Air) Phase 1

The New Zealand Ministry of Defence is seeking information from those UAS manufacturers relevant to the delivery of a Commercially Owned Commercially Operated (COCO) contract for the Persistent Surveillance (Air) project. The COCO contract will provide uncrewed airborne Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance activities over a four year period. The RFI details a series of assumptions, and seeks answers to a number of questions which will inform the project’s next stages.

Key assumptions are that:
- The COCO contractor will be responsible for all aspects of delivering an ISR mission, including provision of the UAS, and operational and technical support.
- The UAS Main Operating Base will be RNZAF Base Ohakea
- The UAS will conduct six hours of surveillance at a range of approximately 1400 Nautical Miles from the Main Operating Base, and
- The COCO contractor will deliver two missions per week, for fifty two weeks of the year

The project is seeking answers to specific questions, including product overviews and general information. Please refer to the RFI documentation.


Background:
The 2025 Defence Capability Plan outlined indicative investments across a range of uncrewed systems. The Persistent Surveillance (Air) project is listed under the Aerospace Domain section as a long-range remotely piloted aircraft (page 30 of Defence Capability Plan).
The RFI closes at 4pm (NZ) on Monday 7 September

A short virtual Industry clarification session will be held on Tuesday 11 August (NZT). To register for the industry session, please email the team via the address: perrsistentsurveillanceair@defence.govt.nz

Any questions during the RFI period can be directed to persistentsurveillanceair@defence.govt.nz in accordance with the guidance for questions provided in the RFI.