Small British businesses are to benefit from a new warship and submarine agreement, Defence Minister Maria Eagle has announced today.
More than 180,000 different items requiring delivery around the world are available within a new framework.
Across the framework, between a third and half of the suppliers are based outside the south of England with the majority being Midlands or North of England-based, and additional suppliers based in Scotland and Wales.
Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry Maria Eagle said: “The spares and repairs that keep our warships submarines at sea are critical, and this agreement will ensure that more British small businesses – from Southampton to Aberdeen – will be at the heart of supporting the Royal Navy.
“By backing our defence industry, we will keep the nation safe and support more than 200,000 jobs.
Today’s changes open the market for 39 companies to bid for work through Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) – the MOD’s procurement arm.”
Greater warship and submarine availability will be delivered through improved access to spare parts, both for planned and unplanned maintenance; access to specialist equipment-related technical advice and expertise globally; and reductions in cost without compromising safety or availability.
