CPV 356 – Military Aircraft, Missiles and Spacecraft

What does CPV 356 cover?

CPV group 356 covers military aviation and space systems. This includes combat aircraft, transport aircraft, reconnaissance aircraft, military helicopters (attack, transport and multi-role), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs and drones), guided missiles, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, as well as spacecraft with military applications such as reconnaissance and communications satellites.

In the EU, procurement in this segment is conducted by national defence acquisition agencies such as the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw). These contracts are among the largest by value and most technically complex in all of public procurement. International armaments cooperation programmes – such as the Eurofighter programme, the NH90 helicopter and FCAS – shape the procurement landscape considerably. The full CPV structure is maintained by the European Commission (SIMAP).

The technology base for these systems is highly complex and subject to strict export control regulations including ITAR, EAR and national export laws. Development and procurement contracts run for decades, and in-service support covering spare parts, maintenance and upgrades binds contractors for the full system lifecycle of 30–40 years. The applicable legal framework is published on EUR-Lex under Regulation (EC) No 213/2008.

Typical Services in CPV 356

Examples of Tenders with CPV 356

• Procurement of attack helicopters for national armed forces: Contract for the delivery and integration of heavy attack helicopters including armament systems, training devices and a five-year initial in-service support package – published on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily).
• Framework contract for engine overhaul of military aircraft: Multi-year agreement for depot- and line-level overhaul of a fleet type's engines, including a rotation pool and guaranteed turnaround times – published.
• Procurement of tactical UAVs for reconnaissance units: Delivery of 30 tactical reconnaissance drones with ground station, encrypted data links and operator training – published on TED.

Current tenders with CPV 356 are published on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) and on national procurement platforms.

Who is CPV 356 relevant for?

Public Contracting Authorities

Defence ministries, armed forces and multinational procurement bodies such as OCCAR (Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation) and the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) are the main contracting authorities. The extremely high contract values and strategic importance make these procurements key projects in national defence planning.

Companies and Bidders

Major defence primes (Airbus, MBDA, Rheinmetall, Leonardo) dominate as lead contractors. Specialised suppliers for avionics, propulsion systems and advanced materials have significant opportunities as subcontractors and in consortia. Security clearances and export control compliance are mandatory. Further information on procurement requirements is available from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).

How does Bond help with CPV 356?

Tender Match – Automatically Find Tenders (CPV 356)

With tender.match, aerospace and defence companies automatically receive all relevant tenders with CPV 356 directly in their dashboard. BOND indexes tenders from over 1,000 procurement portals in the EU – from TED to national platforms and regional contracting authorities. Instead of manually searching dozens of portals every day, matching military aviation contracts are filtered and delivered by industry, competency, region, and company profile. An automated gap analysis immediately shows where the company meets the requirements and where gaps exist. This ensures companies never miss a deadline and can focus on preparing their bids.

Company Match – Find the Right Partners and Suppliers (CPV 356)

For companies looking for suppliers, subcontractors, or consortium partners for military aviation and space projects, company.match provides direct access to qualified firms from an EU-wide database of over 28 million companies. Especially for larger defence contracts that a single company cannot handle alone, company.match automatically identifies suitable partners for bidding consortia and partial services – increasing the chances of winning the contract.

Frequently Asked Questions about CPV 356

What does the CPV code 35600000 mean?

The CPV code 35600000 classifies military aircraft, missiles and spacecraft within the EU's Common Procurement Vocabulary. It covers the full range of military aviation and space systems – from combat and transport aircraft to guided missiles and reconnaissance satellites – procured by armed forces and defence authorities.

How do I find tenders with CPV 356?

Tenders are published on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) for EU-wide procedures and on national platforms. Many defence procurements are conducted through restricted procedures.

What are the requirements for participating in tenders with CPV 356?

Bidders typically require facility and personnel security clearances, export control compliance (ITAR/EAR), technical certifications and demonstrated experience in comparable defence programmes. The applicable legal frameworks are VgV and UVgO for below-threshold contracts, and the defence procurement directive for classified contracts.