What is defense and security procurement?

Defense & Security procurement is how public buyers — ministries, agencies, and state-owned enterprises — purchase goods and services in this sector through competitive government tenders. Vendors compete for those contracts by responding to published tender notices.

Who are the buyers in defense and security?

Buyers are public-sector bodies that procure in this sector: government ministries, regulatory and operational agencies, and state-owned enterprises. Typical buyers include Ministries and departments of defense, Armed forces procurement agencies (Army, Navy, Air Force, Space), National defense research and development organizations.

How do I find defense and security government tenders?

Sell to State lists 522 procurement portals that publish defense and security tenders; the country list on this page links to each country. In the 65 countries where we hold award notices, describe the work you sell in plain English and get tender IDs, buyers, values and dates.

Is defense procurement published on public tender portals?

Some is, some is not. Many countries publish defense tenders above specified thresholds on national e-procurement systems or defense-specific portals (e.g., UK MOD Defence Sourcing Portal, SAM.gov in the US). Classified and sensitive acquisitions are conducted through restricted channels requiring prior vetting. Monitoring open portals still surfaces a large volume of defense-adjacent opportunities in logistics, facilities, and IT.

What is an offset obligation and how do I budget for it?

Offset or industrial participation obligations require winning vendors on large defense contracts to invest an equivalent value in the buyer country's economy—through local manufacturing, technology transfer, training, or subcontracting. Obligations can equal or exceed the contract value. They must be factored into pricing and delivery planning from the bid stage.

Do foreign companies need special authorization to sell defense products?

Yes. Export control regimes (ITAR/EAR in the US, national dual-use regulations, EU common position) require export licenses for defense articles and technologies. The buyer country may also require an end-user certificate and government-to-government agreements for certain categories. Legal review is essential before pursuing any defense export opportunity.

How are sustainment and through-life support contracts structured?

Through-life support (TLS) or performance-based logistics (PBL) contracts cover maintenance, spare parts, technical data, upgrades, and training over the operational life of a platform—often 20–30 years. They may be awarded to the original equipment manufacturer or competed separately. These long-tail contracts often dwarf the original equipment procurement in cumulative value.

What clearances do defense IT vendors need?

Defense IT work commonly requires facility security clearances for the vendor organization and personal clearances for individual staff. Levels range from Confidential through Top Secret/SCI depending on the work. Clearance acquisition can take months, so vendors should initiate the process early and should not underestimate the administrative burden of maintaining a cleared workforce.

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Sector

Defense & Security government tenders.

Military equipment, security systems, and national defense services procured by armed forces and interior ministries worldwide.

Defense and security procurement encompasses the full spectrum of national security spending: combat vehicles, aircraft, naval vessels, weapons systems, munitions, uniforms, individual soldier equipment, base construction, logistics support, simulation and training, command-and-control software, intelligence systems, and long-term sustainment contracts. The buyer base is concentrated—typically the national ministry or department of defense—but the supply chain is vast, spanning prime contractors, tier-two system integrators, and specialist component manufacturers across hundreds of categories.

Defense procurement operates under distinct legal frameworks in most jurisdictions, often with reduced transparency obligations justified by national security. The EU Defense Procurement Directive (2009/81/EC) applies to EU member states but permits broad exclusions. NATO interoperability standards shape technical specifications globally. Offset and industrial participation obligations—where winning vendors must invest locally or transfer technology—are common in international arms deals and can amount to 100% of contract value.

Security procurement (border control, surveillance, policing, emergency services) follows a middle path: subject to standard procurement rules in many countries but with access to restricted tender portals and enhanced vetting of vendors and key personnel. Vendors in both subsectors must plan for long sales cycles, intensive technical evaluation, and the political dimensions of major acquisition decisions.

CPV families

35 — Security, fire-fighting, police and defence equipment
76 — Services related to the oil and gas industry
60 — Transport services
72 — IT services: consulting, software development, Internet and support

Typical buyers

• Ministries and departments of defense
• Armed forces procurement agencies (Army, Navy, Air Force, Space)
• National defense research and development organizations
• Ministries of Interior and national police
• Border control and customs enforcement agencies
• Intelligence community acquisition offices
• NATO and multilateral defense cooperation bodies

Example contracts

• Supply and through-life support of armored infantry fighting vehicles
• Provision of airborne surveillance and reconnaissance systems
• National border management integrated surveillance system
• Supply of small arms, ammunition, and training services
• Defense cyber operations center establishment and managed services
• Naval patrol vessel construction and 20-year maintenance contract
• Military uniform and personal protective equipment — standing offer
• Simulation and mission rehearsal software for joint training exercises

Defense & Security tenders by country

Sell to State lists 522 procurement portals that publish defense and security contracts. Explore the markets:

Top awards

Questions

What is defense and security procurement?: Defense & Security procurement is how public buyers — ministries, agencies, and state-owned enterprises — purchase goods and services in this sector through competitive government tenders. Vendors compete for those contracts by responding to published tender notices.
Who are the buyers in defense and security?: Buyers are public-sector bodies that procure in this sector: government ministries, regulatory and operational agencies, and state-owned enterprises. Typical buyers include Ministries and departments of defense, Armed forces procurement agencies (Army, Navy, Air Force, Space), National defense research and development organizations.
How do I find defense and security government tenders?: Sell to State lists 522 procurement portals that publish defense and security tenders; the country list on this page links to each country. In the 65 countries where we hold award notices, describe the work you sell in plain English and get tender IDs, buyers, values and dates.
Is defense procurement published on public tender portals?: Some is, some is not. Many countries publish defense tenders above specified thresholds on national e-procurement systems or defense-specific portals (e.g., UK MOD Defence Sourcing Portal, SAM.gov in the US). Classified and sensitive acquisitions are conducted through restricted channels requiring prior vetting. Monitoring open portals still surfaces a large volume of defense-adjacent opportunities in logistics, facilities, and IT.
What is an offset obligation and how do I budget for it?: Offset or industrial participation obligations require winning vendors on large defense contracts to invest an equivalent value in the buyer country's economy—through local manufacturing, technology transfer, training, or subcontracting. Obligations can equal or exceed the contract value. They must be factored into pricing and delivery planning from the bid stage.
Do foreign companies need special authorization to sell defense products?: Yes. Export control regimes (ITAR/EAR in the US, national dual-use regulations, EU common position) require export licenses for defense articles and technologies. The buyer country may also require an end-user certificate and government-to-government agreements for certain categories. Legal review is essential before pursuing any defense export opportunity.
How are sustainment and through-life support contracts structured?: Through-life support (TLS) or performance-based logistics (PBL) contracts cover maintenance, spare parts, technical data, upgrades, and training over the operational life of a platform—often 20–30 years. They may be awarded to the original equipment manufacturer or competed separately. These long-tail contracts often dwarf the original equipment procurement in cumulative value.
What clearances do defense IT vendors need?: Defense IT work commonly requires facility security clearances for the vendor organization and personal clearances for individual staff. Levels range from Confidential through Top Secret/SCI depending on the work. Clearance acquisition can take months, so vendors should initiate the process early and should not underestimate the administrative burden of maintaining a cleared workforce.