The UK Armed Forces are set to benefit from a major upgrade in how they manage and maintain their equipment, thanks to a new £320 million contract that will also create over
100 highly-skilled jobs across the country.
The Ministry of Defence has signed the deal with IBM UK to deliver the Defence Equipment Engineering Asset Management System (DEEAMS) — a cutting-edge platform that uses artificial intelligence to streamline military logistics. The system is designed to make sure troops have the right equipment, in the right place, at the right time, both at home and overseas.
Smarter, faster, more efficient
DEEAMS will replace 17 outdated and disconnected IT systems with one modern platform, saving more than £1 billion in costs over its lifetime. By providing real-time data on equipment health, stock levels, and repair needs, it will allow the military to predict problems before they happen and plan maintenance more effectively.
The new system will support more than 65,000 users across 130 major platforms and assets, improving decision-making speed and operational effectiveness. It also lays the groundwork for adopting even more advanced technologies in the future, keeping the UK at the forefront of defence innovation.
Creating new jobs and driving growth
Beyond the military benefits, the programme will generate 100 new skilled jobs in the UK, contributing to the Government’s wider plan to use defence investment as a driver for economic growth.
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, said:
“This is a major step forward in our commitment to ensuring our military has the very best equipment support available.
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 deployed overseas.
We are delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change with this £320 million investment, creating 100 new skilled jobs here in the UK and driving defence as an engine for growth”.
Backed by record defence spending
The government has committed to increasing defence spending to 2.6% of GDP by 2027, with a target of 3% in the next Parliament. This investment is part of a wider transformation set out in the Strategic Defence Review, which emphasises modernisation, digital integration, and resilience.
Rahul Kalia, Managing Partner, IBM Consulting UKI, said:
“IBM is proud to support the Ministry of Defence to deliver the transformational DEEAMS programme to enable a next generation, full-lifecycle asset management solution for the UK Armed Forces. Working with our ecosystem partners, we will deliver this mission-critical platform with predictive intelligence and real-time data driven insights to improve planning and support strategic decision making”.
A step into the future
The DEEAMS programme shows how the UK is harnessing innovation to strengthen national defence while creating economic opportunities. By combining AI, data integration, and modern digital tools, it will streamline processes, cut costs, and enhance operational readiness — ensuring Britain’s Armed Forces remain equipped for the challenges of tomorrow. Photo by Chris Nyborg, Wikimedia commons.