CPV 343 – Aircraft and Spacecraft

What does CPV 343 cover?

CPV Group 343 (34300000) classifies public contracts for aircraft and aviation systems. It encompasses fixed-wing aircraft for transport, surveillance and research, helicopters for air rescue, police and military use, unmanned aerial vehicles (drones, UAVs) for reconnaissance, inspection and surveillance, as well as aircraft components such as engines, avionics, undercarriages and cabin systems. Training aircraft for pilots of public institutions and ground launch systems also fall within this category.

In the public sector, aircraft procurement carries particular strategic significance. Federal police services operate their own helicopter fleets for operational support and border protection. Defence forces procure combat and transport aircraft as well as helicopters for diverse operational requirements. Public air rescue operators renew their fleets periodically. National aerospace research centres procure research aircraft. The procurement of drones and UAVs for infrastructure inspection, forest fire monitoring and police surveillance represents a rapidly growing segment for smaller authorities as well.

CPV Group 343 is part of CPV Division 34 (Transport Equipment and Accessories). It is distinct from CPV 341 (motor vehicles) and CPV 342 (rail vehicles) through its focus on air-borne systems. Air traffic control facilities and airport infrastructure are classified under CPV 45 (construction works) or CPV 73 (research and development).

Further information on the CPV system is available from the European Commission's SIMAP portal and in Regulation (EC) No 213/2008.

Typical Services in CPV 343

• Rescue and emergency helicopters for air ambulance services
• Police helicopters and surveillance aircraft
• Fixed-wing aircraft for government transport and research
• Drone systems (UAVs) for inspection, surveillance and law enforcement
• Training aircraft for public sector pilot instruction
• Avionics, engines and aircraft component procurement

Examples of Tenders with CPV 343

• Air Rescue Helicopters for a State Emergency Service: A federal state tenders the supply of four medium-class rescue helicopters (twin-engine, IFR-capable) for its air rescue network, including medical equipment to relevant standards, a rescue winch, night vision equipment, a three-year warranty and a spare-parts package with pilot training – published on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily).
• Surveillance Drones for a State Police Force: A state police authority procures 25 professional drone systems under a framework agreement for operational support, crime prevention, missing persons searches and large event surveillance, including accessories, training and a three-year maintenance package – advertised.
• Research Aircraft for a National Aerospace Centre: A national aerospace research centre tenders the supply of a turboprop research aircraft with a modular instrument interface system, bleed-air connections for measurement instruments, camera mounts and external sensor pylons for atmospheric and geophysical survey flights.

Current tenders with CPV 343 are published on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily) and on national procurement platforms.

Who is CPV 343 relevant for?

Public Contracting Authorities

Federal police services, defence forces, national aerospace research centres, public air rescue operators, state police forces, coast guards and maritime authorities are the core contracting authorities. Public research institutions with airborne measurement requirements also procure specialised aircraft. The growing use of drones in public administration – for infrastructure inspection, civil protection and policing – is creating a new dynamic procurement segment for smaller authorities.

Companies and Bidders

Aircraft manufacturers (for helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft), drone manufacturers and aviation technology companies are the primary bidders. For helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft procurement, EASA type certification, public sector operational experience and the availability of maintenance and spare-parts networks are decisive factors. The drone market is more dynamic and offers opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises as well. Further information is available from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK).

How does Bond help with CPV 343?

Tender Match – Automatically Find Tenders (CPV 343)

With tender.match, aircraft manufacturers, aviation technology companies and drone suppliers automatically receive all relevant tenders with CPV 343 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 aircraft procurement 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 343)

For companies looking for suppliers, subcontractors, or consortium partners for aviation projects, company.match provides direct access to qualified firms from an EU-wide database of over 28 million companies. Especially for larger aircraft procurement 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 343

What does the CPV code 34300000 mean?

CPV code 34300000 designates the group "Aircraft and Spacecraft" within CPV Division 34. It covers all air-borne vehicle acquisitions by public bodies – from rescue helicopters and police surveillance aircraft through research planes to drone systems and UAVs for inspection and monitoring purposes.

How do I find tenders with CPV 343?

Tenders with CPV 343 can be searched using the CPV filter on TED (Tenders Electronic Daily). At national level lists current procurements. BOND aggregates tenders from over 1,000 portals and automatically informs about new procurements in this specialist segment.

What are the requirements for participating in tenders with CPV 343?

Manned aircraft must hold an EASA type certificate. Drones are subject to EU Delegated Regulation (EU) 2019/945 with classes C0 to C6 depending on weight and operational category. For security-sensitive drone procurements (police, defence), additional security classification requirements may apply. Details are governed by VgV and UVgO depending on the contract value.