17 May 10. DVD 2010, Defence Equipment & Support’s (DE&S) stakeholder event for the land and support chain communities in the defence sector, will take place on 23rd and 24th June, at Millbrook, Bedfordshire. It is a pivotal date in the defence diary for all involved with the supply and procurement of vehicles, battlefield infrastructure and related support services to the UK’s Armed Forces.
DVD is organised by DE&S, the organisation which equips and supports the UK’s Armed Forces for current and future operations. It is responsible for the procurement, through-life management and disposal of equipment and services ranging from ships, aircraft, vehicles and weapons, to information systems and satellite communications. Indeed, DE&S works closely with industry to deliver the best equipment to the UK’s Armed Forces, now and in the future.
DVD 2010 will once again provide a unique opportunity for the defence sector to meet, learn about, discuss and experience the equipment, technologies and support services that are critical to the success of the UK’s armed forces. The event offers two days of efficient interaction, during which members of the defence acquisition community, military personnel and industry organisations, as well as related government departments, can assemble for informal discussion and briefings – offering vital user feedback and strengthening MOD and industry working relationships.
Millbrook’s 700 acre site offers an ideal setting for participants to understand and experience – firsthand – the capabilities of the products displayed at the event. This unique extra dimension to DVD allows companies to demonstrate products to their fullest potential, in a fitting and safe environment.
During the event visitors can see new products and equipment displays from attending DE&S teams from the Land Equipment and Joint Support Chain clusters. At this time, the role of the Land Equipment Cluster to furnish and support the UK’s soldiers on the frontline is more crucial than ever.
DE&S Chief of Defence Materiel, General Sir Kevin O’Donoghue said: “Defence’s main effort is the operation in Afghanistan and no parts of DE&S contribute more obviously to that campaign than the Land Equipment and Joint Support Chain represented at the event.
“DVD is an essential part of our support to current operations as it brings the MoD customer and industry supplier together in a way that is just not possible in an office environment. The exchange of ideas which this event generates will enable us to continue providing the best possible equipment and support to our armed forces. DVD is a unique and important part of the defence calendar and I anticipate another valuable event this year.”
Living and working on operation
This year’s event welcomes several more new teams that have chosen to make DVD their key stakeholder event. DVD represents such a valuable opportunity for the DE&S teams to meet with industry and the end user community in an interactive and efficient manner that more and more teams are choosing to attend DVD each year.
Joining DVD for the first time in 2010 is the Individual Capability Group (ICG), which is responsible for managing the strategic direction and operations activities for the Dismounted Soldier System Team (DSS), Integrated Soldier System Executive (ISSE), the Light Weapons, Photographic and Batteries Team (LWPB) and the Personal Combat Equipment team. These teams have responsibility for procuring and supporting all of the equipment designed to improve the safety and capabilities of the dismounted soldier on operation now and in the future. Particular emphasis will be paid at DVD to the creation of the ISSE, which is responsible for the development of the Soldier System Architecture for the 2020 vision of the soldier. Members of these project teams will be present to discuss how through the use of technology and research the Soldier System Architecture can be achieved.
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