WIREDGOV

Logistics, engineering and equipment support lie at the heart of ensuring Defence has the forces and equipment it needs to confront the threats we face. That is, ready when and where we need them, fully fit, armed, provisioned, and deployed at a speed of relevance – we call this Support Advantage.

Starting with a detailed diagnosis which presents the case for change, the DSS provides the vision for the future of Support and sets out the ways and means to affect the magnitude of change required. In setting the course to deliver credible Support Advantage, the DSS identifies five Strategic Outcomes to be delivered by 2025. Central to their achievement is an unrelenting focus on a unifying performance ambition that seeks a paradigm shift in platform availability and the development of superior, assured, environmentally sustainable and cost-effective logistic services.

The DSS is owned by Chief of Defence Logistics and Support (CDLS), Lt Gen Richard Wardlaw, who heads up the Defence Support organisation and is the Functional Owner for Support (FOfS). The development of the DSS saw close collaboration with Support Directors across the Front Line Commands and related Enabling Organisations, and will guide their individual Support ambitions to deliver a pan-Defence, cross-cutting response to realise the vision while addressing the challenges we face today.

The strategy is presented in four parts:

• Diagnosis of the current state of the Defence Support Function and the underlying reasons for the challenges and opportunities
• 15-year vision – building on existing Defence operating concepts including Multi Domain Integration
• Ends (strategic outcomes), ways and means over 5-years on the way to the vision
• Defence Support Operating Model (DSOM) – design for delivery of the strategy

The Defence Support strategy will be delivered through the Defence Support functional plan – which provides the operational gearing from strategic ends, ways and means to directed activities and responsibilities.

To find out more and download the Defence Support Strategy high-level overview please visit the strategy page on gov.uk.