Urgent life raft buy aims to avoid E-7 Wedgetail delay

Britain's Defence Equipment and Support plans a direct award of approximately £220,000 to AEM Limited for E-7 Wedgetail life rafts and associated work. The package covers nine aircraft rafts, reconfiguration and recertification of three existing rafts, four training rafts with quarterly servicing, and an instruction manual. A transparency notice published October 27 identifies November 6 as the earliest signing date and estimates contract completion by February 28, 2028. Procurement and reconfiguration are required by November 2026 to avoid delaying the Airborne Mission System's release to service, with urgency and exclusive supply rights cited for avoiding competition.