Technology company IBM UK has won a 320-million-pound ($430-million) contract to overhaul the Ministry of Defence’s aging logistics systems by replacing 17 fragmented applications with a single digital platform.
The new system, Defence Equipment Engineering Asset Management Systems (DEEAMS), will give military personnel real-time insights into maintenance, stock levels, repairs, and engineering planning.
It uses artificial intelligence to predict when equipment needs servicing to ensure that the right vehicles and tools are available at the right time.
DEEAMS is expected to support over 65,000 users and manage more than 130 major pieces of military equipment. The program could also create over 100 skilled jobs.
Pushing UK Army Modernization
Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the DEEAMS deal is not just about establishing better support systems but also part of the UK government’s broader Plan for Change, which seeks to boost domestic growth through defence technology.
“We are revolutionizing how we provide our front-line personnel with the kit they need, when they need it, whether they’re operating at home or deployed overseas,” he said.
The DEEAMS system reflects the UK’s push to modernize amid growing global threats and pressures on defence supply chains. The Strategic Defence Review called for more streamlined, digital, and resilient military support systems.
It also comes at a time when the UK is increasing defense spending. Government targets include raising spending to 2.7 percent of GDP by 2027, with ambitions of pushing it higher in the next Parliament.
Furthermore, DEEAMS is expected to deliver more than 1 billion pounds ($1.3 billion) in benefits and savings through lower support and IT costs over time.
