New defence organisation to equip UK forces

Manufacturing News, Source : TheManufacturer.com
Published : 02 Apr 2007 13:30
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In the wake of much criticism about the availability and quality of equipment issued to Britain’s armed forces, the Government today launched a new organisation that will be responsible for more than 40 per cent of the UK’s defence budget.

To be called Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), the organisation will be responsible for equipment throughout its life, from design and manufacture through to delivery and disposal. “By bringing these areas of responsibility together in one organisation, the Armed Forces' equipment will be better managed and with more effective maintenance, technology upgrades and cost control,” said an MoD statement. DE&S will manage a budget of £16 billion - some 43per cent of the defence budget -and employ around 29,000 people across the UK and abroad

Defence Minister Lord Drayson said the new organisation combined the best of military and public service cultures with a hard commercial edge. “Both MoD and Industry are making real progress in improving acquisition performance but much remains to be done," he added.

 

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