B.1.  EPP planning

The responsibility for identifying requirements for military equipment based on policy direction resides with the MoD Capability Sponsor (previously Equipment Capability Customer, ECC) in MoD centre, which is charged with programming resources in the EPP. The Capability Sponsor is supported in this task by the Front Line Commands / Users (i.e., those associated with the actual delivery of current Military Capability and who will be the ultimate customer for all equipment that is acquired) and the deliverer, DE&S (i.e., the organisation responsible for developing and acquiring the equipment as specified). This tri-partite structure is illustrated schematically in Figure B-2.

Figure B-2: Tri-partite structure of equipment procurement planning in the MoD

The Capability Sponsor provides Heads of Capability (previously DECs) to act as Programme Sponsors for equipment programmes, and to carry out the duties of Senior Responsible Owner ("SRO") until delivery into service. The User role covers all MoD activity associated with the delivery of current Military Capability (MC) and its successful employment on operations. DE&S plays the role of acquisition programme deliverer and acts as the link between the Capability Sponsor, from whom it takes funded capability requirements, and support to the User, to whom it delivers equipment and an associated support solution that is ready for service.