Sweden Awards SEK 314.67 Million Contract for Advanced Aerial Target System at Vidsel Test Range

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Sweden's Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has awarded a contract valued at SEK 314.67 million to Sener Aerospace and Defence (SCR Division) for the supply of an advanced Aerial Target System for the Vidsel Test Range. The procurement also includes a framework agreement with a potential duration of up to ten years, enabling future call off purchases to support Sweden's long term defence testing capabilities.

Introduction

Modern defence organisations depend on sophisticated testing environments to validate the performance of missile systems, radar technologies, air defence platforms and military aircraft. One of the most important elements of these environments is the availability of realistic aerial target systems that accurately simulate airborne threats during live fire exercises and weapon evaluation programmes.

To strengthen these capabilities, Sweden's Försvarets materielverk (FMV), the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, has completed a major defence procurement for an Aerial Target System for the Vidsel Test Range. Published as TED Contract Award Notice 506171-2026, the procurement covers both the initial acquisition of the aerial target system and a long term framework arrangement supporting future procurements throughout the system's operational lifecycle.

The contract has been awarded to Sener Aerospace and Defence (SCR Division), with a total contract value of SEK 314,671,222. According to the contract award notice, the successful supplier will deliver the initial aerial target system while also supporting future requirements through a framework agreement that may remain available for up to ten years.

Why This Contract Matters

Military test ranges require advanced aerial target systems capable of replicating realistic airborne threats during operational testing and training exercises. These systems enable defence organisations to verify the effectiveness of missile systems, sensors, surveillance technologies and weapon platforms under controlled but realistic operating conditions.

The Vidsel Test Range in northern Sweden serves as an important defence testing facility. Procuring an advanced aerial target system strengthens the range's capability to support current and future defence programmes while ensuring long term operational readiness.

Unlike a conventional one time equipment purchase, this procurement combines an initial supply contract with a long term framework arrangement. This approach allows FMV to procure additional equipment, upgrades, spare parts or related requirements through future call off purchases without conducting an entirely new procurement procedure each time a requirement arises.

Contract Timeline

Contract Overview

The procurement covers one supply contract for the acquisition of an aerial target system together with options for the initial delivery and one framework agreement under which future call off purchase orders may be issued according to operational requirements.

According to the procurement notice, the same supplier has been awarded both the initial supply contract and the accompanying framework agreement. The framework may remain available for procurement activities for up to ten years, enabling FMV to acquire additional equipment and related requirements on a need basis.

The estimated value of the procurement amounts to SEK 314,671,222. The procurement was conducted under Directive 2009/81/EC, which governs defence and security procurement within the European Union. The contract concerns supplies and relates to unmanned aerial vehicles under CPV code 35613000.

Key Contract Details

Project Scope

The procurement includes the acquisition of an advanced aerial target system for Sweden's Vidsel Test Range together with options for the initial system delivery. In addition to the supply contract, FMV established a framework arrangement through which future procurement requirements may be fulfilled by issuing call off purchase orders as operational needs arise.

The procurement notice does not disclose the detailed technical specifications of the aerial target system. However, it confirms that the procurement concerns unmanned aerial vehicles intended for defence testing activities at the Vidsel Test Range.

The contract will support Sweden's defence testing infrastructure by providing equipment required for military evaluation and test programmes while allowing future procurement requirements to be addressed through the associated long term framework agreement.

About the Contracting Authority

FMV (Försvarets materielverk), the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, serves as Sweden's central government authority responsible for procuring, developing and supporting defence equipment for the Swedish Armed Forces. Operating under the national defence sector, FMV manages procurement programmes covering military systems, equipment, technology and associated support services.

As the contracting authority for this procurement, FMV conducted the competition and will oversee contract implementation while managing future procurement activities under the associated framework arrangement.

About the Organisations Involved

FMV acted as the contracting authority and also served as the organisation providing additional procurement information throughout the procurement process. Review procedures are handled by Förvaltningsrätten i Stockholm, which also provides additional information regarding review procedures.

The successful supplier is Sener Aerospace and Defence (SCR Division), headquartered in Spain. The company was selected on 9 March 2026, with the contract formally concluded on 3 July 2026. The awarded contract has a value of SEK 314,671,222.

The procurement attracted competition from several defence technology suppliers. According to the contract award notice, unsuccessful tenderers included AETHER AERONAUTICS SA, QinetiQ Target Systems Ltd/USD, Saab aktiebolag and EXCALIBUR INTERNATIONAL a.s.. A total of five tenders were received during the procurement process.

Procurement Analysis

The procurement was conducted using the Negotiated Procedure with Prior Publication of a Call for Competition under Directive 2009/81/EC, the European legal framework governing defence and security procurement. This procedure enabled FMV to negotiate with qualified suppliers while ensuring competition for a technologically advanced defence capability.

A distinctive feature of this procurement is that it combines two contractual elements within a single competition. First, FMV awarded a supply contract covering the initial acquisition of the aerial target system, including options associated with the initial delivery. Second, the procurement established a framework agreement with a duration of up to ten years, allowing future call off purchase orders to be issued whenever operational requirements arise. According to the notice, the same supplier was awarded both the supply contract and the framework agreement.

The procurement concerns unmanned aerial vehicles for the Vidsel Test Range and carries an estimated value of SEK 314,671,222. The contract performance period for the initial supply contract runs from 3 July 2026 until 2 July 2029, while the framework agreement provides a mechanism for future procurement activities beyond the initial delivery.

The contract was awarded using the lowest price criterion. The procurement notice specifies that the successful tender had to satisfy all mandatory requirements and offer the lowest evaluated price. The total evaluated price was determined using five predefined pricing scenarios described in the procurement documentation.

The procurement was not financed through European Union funds and was not identified as strategic procurement in the contract award notice. A total of five tenders were submitted, demonstrating competitive participation from international defence suppliers specialising in aerial target systems and unmanned aircraft technologies.

Additional Procurement Facts

Market and Industry Perspective

The procurement demonstrates continued investment in advanced defence testing infrastructure across Europe. Modern armed forces increasingly require sophisticated aerial target systems capable of supporting the testing and evaluation of missiles, air defence systems, radar technologies and other military capabilities under realistic operational conditions.

Combining an initial acquisition with a long term procurement mechanism allows defence authorities to maintain operational capability while simplifying future procurement of additional equipment, spare parts, upgrades and related services. Such procurement structures are commonly used where defence systems require long operational lifecycles and ongoing technical support.

The participation of suppliers from Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Greece and Czechia illustrates the international nature of the European defence industry, where specialised aerospace manufacturers compete for technologically advanced military programmes.

Economic Significance

With an estimated value of SEK 314.67 million, the procurement represents a significant investment in Sweden's defence testing capability. Beyond the initial acquisition, the associated framework agreement provides a procurement vehicle for future purchases that may support the continued operation and development of the aerial target system over an extended period.

Investment in defence testing infrastructure also supports technological innovation within the aerospace and defence sectors by encouraging suppliers to develop advanced unmanned aerial systems capable of meeting demanding military testing requirements.

Future Procurement Opportunities

The framework agreement creates potential opportunities for future procurements related to the aerial target system, including:

• Additional aerial target vehicles
• Replacement unmanned aircraft
• System upgrades
• Mission payload enhancements
• Ground control equipment
• Launch and recovery equipment
• Technical maintenance services
• Training support
• Software updates
• Spare parts and lifecycle support

The procurement notice does not specify which future products or services will be acquired under the framework agreement. Individual call off purchases will be made according to FMV's operational requirements.

Opportunities for Suppliers

The procurement highlights opportunities for companies operating in the defence aerospace sector, including:

• Unmanned aerial vehicle manufacturers
• Defence system integrators
• Aerospace engineering companies
• Military training solution providers
• Flight control system developers
• Defence electronics manufacturers
• Maintenance and lifecycle support providers
• Simulation technology suppliers
• Military communications specialists
• Testing and evaluation technology companies

What Businesses Should Watch

Defence authorities continue investing in advanced testing capabilities to support evolving military technologies. Suppliers specialising in unmanned systems, defence aerospace engineering and military support services should monitor similar procurements issued under European defence procurement legislation.

Long term framework arrangements accompanying major defence acquisitions may also generate recurring business opportunities through future call off purchases covering upgrades, replacement equipment and technical support.

SwedenTenders.com Procurement Intelligence

From a procurement intelligence perspective, this contract illustrates several important developments within European defence procurement.

• Defence agencies continue investing in advanced unmanned aerial technologies.
• Long term framework agreements support lifecycle procurement alongside initial acquisitions.
• International competition remains strong for specialised defence programmes.
• Negotiated procedures continue to be widely used for complex defence procurements.
• Military testing infrastructure remains a strategic area of defence investment.
• Lifecycle procurement planning is increasingly integrated into initial contract awards.

Supplier Takeaways

• Develop specialised expertise in defence unmanned aerial systems.
• Strengthen long term lifecycle support capabilities.
• Prepare for negotiated defence procurement procedures.
• Invest in advanced aerospace engineering and testing technologies.
• Monitor future FMV defence procurements.
• Build capabilities supporting military test and evaluation programmes.

Key Takeaways

• FMV awarded a SEK 314.67 million defence contract for an aerial target system.
• Sener Aerospace and Defence (SCR Division) secured both the supply contract and the associated framework agreement.
• The procurement supports Sweden's Vidsel Test Range.
• The framework agreement may remain available for up to ten years.
• The procurement was conducted under Directive 2009/81/EC.
• Five international suppliers competed for the contract.

Conclusion

The award of the Aerial Target System contract represents an important investment in Sweden's military testing infrastructure. By combining the acquisition of a new aerial target system with a long term framework agreement, FMV has established a procurement structure capable of supporting both immediate operational requirements and future capability development.

The procurement also demonstrates how European defence authorities continue using competitive procurement procedures to acquire highly specialised aerospace technologies while maintaining flexibility for future operational needs through long term contractual arrangements.

Source: TED Contract Award Notice: 506171-2026; Official Journal of the European Union (OJ S 139/2026); Publication Date: 22 July 2026