A logistics system critical to British Armed Forces operations worldwide will be supported under a new five-year, £460 million contract with Boeing Defence UK.
The contract supports implementation of the Integrated Review and Defense Command Paper, published last year, which placed an emphasis on more productive, active and globally deployed Armed Forces.
Logistics Information Systems (LogIS) support vital services including inventory, transport, engineering and general ledger management, ensuring the U.K. can successfully deploy military personnel and equipment globally.
Supporting the Ministry of Defense’s ongoing Modernizing Defense Program, this new contract will ensure all single services have access to a single technology-enabled system to support essential inventory services, covering everything from washers and bolts to replacement parts for nuclear missiles.
Around 300 jobs will be sustained at Boeing Defence UK’s Milton Keynes and Bristol sites, as well as a further 375 roles in the wider U.K. supply chain including IBM, Fujitsu, Sopra Steria and BAE Systems.
“This contract helps ensure our Armed Forces can rapidly deploy personnel and equipment on operations at home and abroad whenever required, maintaining their reputation as one of the finest fighting forces in the world,” said Minister for Defense Procurement, Jeremy Quin.
Safeguarding the U.K.’s ability to provide critical defense, security and resilience, the contract enables the management of current and future equipment through ongoing access to cutting-edge software applications that are maintained and updated in line with the changing needs of Defense.
“Defense cannot mount or sustain operations without logistics information. This crucial capability will make our Armed Forces more agile and better placed to support future cutting-edge equipment,” said Head of Support Chain Information Systems at Defense Equipment & Support, Dave Penlington.
“I am delighted that the team’s hard work alongside industry has ensured the U.K. Armed Forces have the tools they need to do their jobs effectively.”
Director Support Transformation at U.K. Strategic Command, Air Vice Marshal Richard Hill, added, “Securing this contract will provide the means to deliver and modernize Logistic Information Systems. This in turn will enable our transformation program by integrating with industry partners to deliver Support Advantage.”
Negotiated by Defense Equipment and Support (DE&S), the procurement arm of the U.K. Ministry of Defense, the £460 million contract is being delivered three months early and is expected to save £54 million over the five years.
