Defence Equipment and Support
British government procurement arm
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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.[1]
- Submarine Delivery Agency (partial)
| |
 | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 2 April 2007 |
| Preceding agencies | |
| Superseding agency |
|
| Jurisdiction | United Kingdom |
| Headquarters | MoD Abbey Wood, Bristol, England 51.5033°N 2.55917°W |
| Minister responsible | |
| Agency executive |
|
| Parent department | Ministry of Defence |
| Child agencies |
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| Website | https://des.mod.uk/ |
In 2022, the DE&S workforce was around 11,500[2] with the majority based at MoD Abbey Wood in Bristol.[3]
History
Defence Equipment and Support was established on 2 April 2007 with General Sir Kevin O'Donoghue as its first CEO.[4]
Responsibility for 'Logistics, Commodities and Services' (including storage and delivery of non-weaponry equipment, such as food and clothing, to soldiers)[5] 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.[6]
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.[7]
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.[8][9]
Major projects
DE&S manages over 600 defence procurement and support programmes for the UK's armed services.[10]
Main locations
As of 2016 the main locations (with staff numbers) were:[6]
- 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
