Defence Committee Inquiry Into Defence Equipment

The Defence Committee is undertaking an inquiry to examine the MoD's progress in improving the way it procures and supports defence equipment, and issues about the future equipment programme and the Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS).>> On 1 April 2007 the Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) and the Defence Logistics Organisation (DLO) merged to form Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), which has an annual spend of some 16 billion. In its inquiry, the Committee plans to examine a range of issues including:>> The progress made to date to develop DE&S into a "fit for purpose" integrated procurement and support organisation;> The extent to which support to current operations is impacting upon DE&S performance relating to the procurement of core defence equipment;>> The progress relating to the "short examination of the equipment programme" announced by the MoD in June 2008;>> The progress made to date in implementing the DIS and the delay in publishing the updated version of the DIS.>> The Committee also plans to examine the progress of a selection of key equipment programmes including the A400M and Future Rapid Effect System (FRES) programmes.>> The Committee would welcome written evidence to the inquiry. In particular, it would welcome industry's views on: the performance of DE&S the MoD's short examination of the equipment programme; and the progress in implementing the DIS. Written evidence should be sent to the Clerk of the Defence Committee by Friday 7 November 2008.>> Evidence sessions>> The Defence Committee is planning to hold three evidence sessions. The first with representatives from industry on Tuesday 18 November 2008 at 10.30 am and the second with General Sir Kevin O'Donoghue KCB CBE, Chief of Defence Materiel, head of DE&S, on Tuesday 25 November 2008 at 10.30 am. The third evidence session will be with the new minister for Defence Equipment and Support (provisional date of Tuesday 9 December 2008). These sessions will take place at the House of Commons.