UK Launches £2 Billion Project Grayburn to Replace the SA80 Rifle

The UK Ministry of Defence published a preliminary market notice on 23 October for Project Grayburn, which would replace the British Army’s SA80 infantry rifles. According to the notice the programme is worth about £2 billion including VAT and covers 150,000 to 180,000 weapons.

What the Notice Says

The notice issued by the National Armaments Director Group gives an estimated value of £2 billion including VAT, about £1.667 billion excluding VAT. The contract period would run from July 2029 to March 2045. The tender notice is not expected before 2 July 2027, with industry registration by 30 October and an engagement deadline of 27 November. The notice stresses that the authority is at an early stage of developing the requirement and that scope and approach remain subject to approval; no procurement route, supplier or product has been selected.

Five Planned Variants

According to the January notice, the programme covers five variants: a standard dismounted close combat rifle replacing the SA80A3, a short variant, a personal defence weapon replacing the L22 carbine, a generalist rifle replacing the SA80A2, and a cadet rifle replacing the L98.

Requirements

Minister Luke Pollard said in February that the department had set clear expectations that Grayburn would be manufactured in the UK; the notice highlights UK manufacture, a possible long-term strategic supplier relationship, the ability to defeat current and emerging body armour, standard day optics with rapid acceptance of night vision, and signature reduction on selected variants. Calibre is left open. Officials expect the L85A3 to remain in service into the early 2030s.

Note

The notice names no bidders or preferred suppliers. The £2 billion is an estimate, not a firm budget. The report rests on the notice as relayed by UK Defence Journal.