Defence signs £320m deal for AI equipment
New platform to transform how Armed Forces manage kit
The Armed Forces are set to benefit from a cutting-edge digital platform designed to overhaul how military equipment is managed and maintained.
The new asset management system is being delivered under a new £320 million contract with IBM UK.
The system, known as the Defence Equipment Engineering Asset Management Systems (DEEAMS), will replace 17 outdated applications with a single, streamlined platform.
Using artificial intelligence, it will provide real-time data to predict repairs, track stock availability and improve engineering planning across more than 130 military platforms.
Officials say the platform will not only transform efficiency within defence but also create more than 100 highly-skilled jobs in the UK, supporting the government’s pledge to make defence an “engine for growth”.
£1 billion in benefits
By integrating data into one system, DEEAMS is expected to deliver over £1 billion in long-term benefits, including major savings on IT and support costs. Crucially, it will give commanders and frontline personnel faster, more accurate information, helping them make better decisions in combat and deployment situations.
The Ministry of Defence said the programme will serve more than 65,000 users, modernising operations and enabling the adoption of future productivity-enhancing technologies.
Delivering the Strategic Defence Review
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard MP hailed the deal as a milestone in military modernisation.
“This is a major step forward in our commitment to ensuring our military has the very best equipment support available,” he said.
“We are revolutionising how we provide our front-line personnel with the kit they need, when they need it, whether they’re operating at home or overseas.”
He added that the project delivered on the ambitions of the Strategic Defence Review, which set out plans for the biggest transformation of UK defence in a generation, alongside record increases in defence spending.
Industry partnership
IBM will lead delivery of the system, working with partner firms to provide a full-lifecycle asset management platform.
Rahul Kalia, Managing Partner at IBM Consulting UKI, said the company was “proud” to support the MOD.
“With predictive intelligence and real-time data driven insights, DEEAMS will improve planning and support strategic decision making,” he said.
The deal comes as the government ramps up investment in defence innovation, with spending set to rise to 2.6% of GDP by 2027, and an ambition to hit 3% in the next Parliament.
Driving digital transformation
Defence officials stressed that the project is part of a wider push to embrace digital integration and data-driven systems across all military capabilities. By improving resilience, streamlining support, and speeding up decision-making, DEEAMS is expected to enhance operational effectiveness both at home and overseas.
The initiative also reinforces the Defence Industrial Strategy’s commitment to supporting economic growth through technological innovation, ensuring Britain’s armed forces remain among the most advanced in the world.
