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Defence Equipment and Support

Coordinates: 51°30′12″N 2°33′33″W / 51.5033°N 2.55917°W / 51.5033; -2.55917
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Defence Equipment and Support
Agency overview
Formed2 April 2007
Preceding agencies
Superseding agency
  • Submarine Delivery Agency (partial)
JurisdictionUnited Kingdom
HeadquartersMoD Abbey Wood, Bristol, England
51°30′12″N 2°33′33″W / 51.5033°N 2.55917°W / 51.5033; -2.55917
Minister responsible
Agency executive
Parent departmentMinistry of Defence
Child agencies
Websitehttps://des.mod.uk/

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]

In 2022, the DE&S workforce was around 11,500[2] with the majority based at MoD Abbey Wood in Bristol.[3]

History

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DE&S headquarters, Abbey Wood, Bristol

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

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DE&S manages over 600 defence procurement and support programmes for the UK's armed services.[10]

Main locations

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As of 2016 the main locations (with staff numbers) were:[6]

References

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  1. ^ This article contains OGL licensed text This article incorporates text published under the British Open Government Licence: "Defence Equipment and Support Corporate Plan 2016 – 2019" (PDF). www.gov.uk. MOD UK, p.3. 2015. Retrieved 23 March 2018.
  2. ^ "DE&S 2022–2025 Corporate Plan" (PDF). GOV.UK. p. 5.
  3. ^ "Filton Abbey Wood: Crocodile and missile rumours at 'UK Pentagon'". BBC News. 19 July 2021. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
  4. ^ DE&S Organisation Chart retrieved October 2008
  5. ^ "Giant MoD Donnington Buildings Take Shape". Shropshire Star. 21 February 2016. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
  6. ^ a b "DE&S Corporate Plan 2016–2019" (PDF). UK Government. Retrieved 13 September 2016.
  7. ^ Baker, Hannah (22 April 2022). "Boris Johnson confirms appointment of new MoD top boss". Business Live. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  8. ^ Comms, D. E. S. (3 April 2024). "DE&S Deca successfully achieves merger milestone". Defence Equipment & Support. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  9. ^ "Merger of Defence Electronics and Components Agency will secure long-term future of Deeside site". Deeside.com. Retrieved 14 May 2025.
  10. ^ "British Army Equipment Procurement and Support – DE&S". Defence Equipment & Support. Retrieved 21 October 2022.
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