Defence Support Group

HC 120, Seventh Report of Session 2008-09 - Report, Together with Formal Minutes, Oral and Written Evidence

Author:: House of Commons - Defence Committee
Publisher:: TSO (The Stationery Office)

Defence Support Group (HC 120)

The Defence Support Group (DSG), a Ministry of Defence (MoD) trading fund, is the result of an April 2008 merger between the Army Base Repair Organisation (ABRO) and the Defence Aviation Repair Agency (DARA), which have been providing support and manpower to operational theatres since the start of the Iraq War. This report, 'Defence Support Group (HC 120)', examines how successful the amalgamation has been.

Conclusions and recommendations include:

The Committee praises the workforces of both ABRO and DARA for the flexible and conscientious approach to the merger, and notes that there was no hiatus in DSG's support for the Armed Forces nor any diminution to the quality of that support.
DSG is currently the only organisation in the UK that is able to maintain the military's legacy fleets of armoured vehicles and large aircraft.
In its contracts with industry, the MoD is increasingly placing responsibilities on companies to 'provide capability' and, therefore, to take on repairs, maintenance and modification work themselves. These contracts will increase the pressure of competition and DSG will become, potentially, more vulnerable to the market-place.
DSG has shown since the merger its ability to trade efficiently and effectively both with the MoD and the Armed Forces and also with industry. Managing these relationships, while maximising performance and keeping as buoyant as possible its remaining unique and historical capabilities, will be key to DSG's future.
The Committee recommends that the MoD in its response to the report takes the opportunity to set out a clear vision for DSG's future, taking into account the growing reliance of DSG upon industry.

Extent	51 pages	ISBN	9780215532329
Size	A4	Price	£12.00
Binding	Paperback	Published	22 Jun 2009
Availability	Colour copy: 3 - 5 days	Delivery	Delivery options and charges