1.1 The Ministry of Defence (the Department) publishes annually an Equipment Plan. The Plan sets out how it will buy and support military equipment the Armed Forces (the commands) require over the next 10 years to meet the objectives of the National Security Strategy1 and the Strategic Defence and Security Review.2 From 1 April 2014 to 31 March 2024 the Plan is forecast to cost £162.9 billion.
1.2 Providing military equipment relies on a partnership between the Department's head office, which gives strategic oversight, the commands that specify their requirements, and Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), which buys and maintains military equipment (or 'defence acquisition'). Defence acquisition is complex and demanding work that requires close partnering with industry. It often involves working with other governments on international collaborative defence projects.
1.3 In 2013-14 DE&S employed some 16,000 permanent members of staff, an estimated 3,400 contractors and technical support staff (which we call 'contractors') and had running costs of £1.3 billion.3 To perform its role, DE&S needs specialist skills, such as commercial, financial, engineering, project and programme management and supplier management.
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1 HM Government, A Strong Britain in an Age of Uncertainty: The National Security Strategy, Cm 7953, October 2010.
2 HM Government, Securing Britain in an Age of Uncertainty: The Strategic Defence and Security Review, Cm 7948, October 2010.
3 Running costs include staff, consultancy, IT and communications, infrastructure, transport and movement costs.