Defence Equipment and Support
{{Short description|British government procurement arm}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox government agency
| agency_name = Defence Equipment and Support
| type =
| logo = Defence Equipment and Support logo.svg
| logo_width =
| logo_caption =
| formed = 2 April 2007
| preceding1 = Defence Procurement Agency
| preceding2 = Defence Logistics Organisation
| dissolved =
| superseding = Submarine Delivery Agency (partial)
| jurisdiction = United Kingdom
| headquarters = MoD Abbey Wood, Bristol, England
| region_code = GB
| coordinates = {{coord|51.5033|-2.55917|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title}}
| employees =
| budget =
| minister1_name = Rt Hon Maria Eagle, MP
| minister1_pfo = Minister of State for Defence Procurement and Industry
| chief1_name = Andy Start
| chief1_position = Chief Executive Officer of Defence Equipment and Support
| parent_department = Ministry of Defence
| child1_agency = DE&S Deca
| child2_agency = Defence Munitions
| website = https://des.mod.uk/
| footnotes =
| map =
| map_width =
| map_caption =
}}
Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) is a trading entity and joint-defence organisation within the UK Ministry of Defence. It began operating on 2 April 2007, following the merger of the MoD's Defence Procurement Agency and the Defence Logistics Organisation, under the Chief Executive Officer of Defence Equipment and Support.{{OGL-attribution}}{{cite web |title=Defence Equipment and Support Corporate Plan 2016 – 2019 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/526950/DES_Corporate_Plan_201619-20160526.pdf |website=www.gov.uk |publisher=MOD UK, p.3. 2015 |access-date=23 March 2018}}
In 2022, the DE&S workforce was around 11,500{{Cite web |title=DE&S 2022–2025 Corporate Plan |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1093206/20220721__DE_S_Corporate_Plan_22_Final_Accessable_version_O.pdf |page=5 |website=GOV.UK}} with the majority based at MoD Abbey Wood in Bristol.{{Cite news |date=2021-07-19 |title=Filton Abbey Wood: Crocodile and missile rumours at 'UK Pentagon' |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-57865012 |access-date=2022-10-21}}
History
Image:Mod.filton.arp.750pix.jpg, Bristol]]
Defence Equipment and Support was established on 2 April 2007 with General Sir Kevin O'Donoghue as its first CEO.[http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/MicroSite/DES/OurPublications/DeandsOrganisationChart.htm DE&S Organisation Chart] retrieved October 2008
Responsibility for 'Logistics, Commodities and Services' (including storage and delivery of non-weaponry equipment, such as food and clothing, to soldiers){{cite web |title=Giant MoD Donnington Buildings Take Shape |url=http://www.shropshirestar.com/pictures/news-pictures/2016/02/21/pictured-giant-mod-donnington-buildings-take-shape/ |website=Shropshire Star |date=21 February 2016 |access-date=13 September 2016}} was contracted out to the private sector in 2015 under an arrangement that included the transfer of 1,100 staff and construction of a new Defence Fulfilment Centre at MoD Donnington.
In September 2022, Andy Start was appointed CEO of the organisation, joining from an executive role in Capita plc and replacing Air Marshal Sir Simon Bollom.{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=Hannah |date=2022-04-22 |title=Boris Johnson confirms appointment of new MoD top boss |url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/boris-johnson-appoints-new-chief-23753453 |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=Business Live |language=en}}
On 1 April 2024, the former Defence Electronics & Components Agency was merged into the wider DE&S organisation to form an autonomous operating centre to be known as DE&S Deca.{{Cite web |last=Comms |first=D. E. S. |date=2024-04-03 |title=DE&S Deca successfully achieves merger milestone |url=https://des.mod.uk/des-deca-successfully-achieves-merger-milestone/ |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=Defence Equipment & Support |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Merger of Defence Electronics and Components Agency will secure long-term future of Deeside site |url=https://www.deeside.com/merger-of-defence-electronics-and-components-agency-will-secure-long-term-future-of-deeside-site/ |access-date=2025-05-14 |website=Deeside.com |language=en}}
Major projects
DE&S manages over 600 defence procurement and support programmes for the UK's armed services.{{Cite web |title=British Army Equipment Procurement and Support – DE&S |url=https://des.mod.uk/what-we-do/army-procurement-support/ |access-date=2022-10-21 |website=Defence Equipment & Support |language=en-GB}}
Main locations
As of 2016 the main locations (with staff numbers) were:{{cite web |title=DE&S Corporate Plan 2016–2019 |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/526950/DES_Corporate_Plan_201619-20160526.pdf |website=UK Government |access-date=13 September 2016}}
- MoD Abbey Wood (7,920) – Head Office
- DM Beith (220) – Defence Munitions
- MoD Bicester (140) – Logistics
- HMNB Clyde (100) – Fleet Support and Defence Munitions
- HMNB Devonport (220) – Fleet Support and Defence Munitions
- DM Kineton (240) – Defence Munitions
- DM Longtown (120) – Defence Munitions
- Ministry of Defence, London (90) – Policy
- RAF Northolt (210) – British Forces Post Office
- HMNB Portsmouth and DM Gosport (350) – Fleet Support and Defence Munitions
- Rosyth Dockyard (120) – Fleet Support and Defence Munitions
- RAF Waddington (170) – ISTAR Support
- Yeovil (410) – Helicopter Support
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://des.mod.uk/ Defence Equipment Support Home]
- [https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/defence-equipment-and-support Defence Equipment Support at Gov.uk]
- [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/de-s-organisation-chart Defence Equipment Support Organisation Structure]
{{United Kingdom Ministry of Defence}}
{{Defence Materiel Procurement Agencies}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Defence agencies of the United Kingdom
Category:Military logistics of the United Kingdom