Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps used his visit to DE&S as an opportunity to highlight our work supplying kit to Ukraine as well as underscoring how the new defence procurement model will deliver equipment to our Armed Forces quicker than ever.

During the visit to Abbey Wood Mr Shapps, along with local MP Jack Lopresti, met staff from Operations and Future Capability Innovation teams who are delivering kit to Ukraine.

DE&S staff were also joined by some of the Small to Medium sized Enterprises who develop the equipment that was on display, including drones and a high-altitude balloon.

The visitors also got a chance to meet with graduates and apprentices working within various teams across DE&S.

Mr Shapps said:

“The hugely talented people at Defence Equipment & Support are crucial in equipping our armed forces to keep our nation safe.

“In a more dangerous world this place is managing thousands of contracts and hundreds of projects overwhelmingly being delivered on time and to budget.”

Turning to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, he described DE&S as being “central” in being able to help the UK send vital kit to the country, “helping them with the fight to kick Putin out”.

He also spoke on the new Integrated Procurement Model, designed to get equipment into the hands of troops faster and more efficiently than ever:

“We are making changes to our own defence procurement to speed up and better organise what we do. Our new procurement model will deliver equipment to our soldiers, sailors and aviators quicker with a better focus on export potential, simultaneously bolstering our economic prosperity and our national security, all of which will mean we continue to defend our nation and help it to prosper.”

Dr Jill Hatcher, DE&S Director Strategy People Change & Corporate, said:

“This was a great opportunity to demonstrate how we are supporting our allies in Ukraine as well as showing how we are spiralling in technology in order to deliver for our Armed Forces and allies today, tomorrow, together.

“We were also able to talk to Secretary of State about the synergies and alignments we make here for the wider defence mission.

“It was great to hear from the Secretary of State that he recognises the hard work we do here, particularly the support for Ukraine, reinforcing that our work is both critical and valued.”