DVD2013 Gets Set to Deliver Army 2020

On 19 and 20 June, DVD2013 will again bring together industry and defence in the land equipment sector at Millbrook Proving Ground to develop ideas and generate an increased understanding of the dynamic defence environment and will focus on the shift towards support for contingent operations and the challenge of enabling the delivery of Army 2020.

DVD2013 is the first to be jointly run by Army Headquarters and DE&S Land Equipment, recognising the new capability role taken on by the Army as part of the Defence Transformation. It will bring together military stakeholders, industry and the acquisition community for two days of informal discussions, engagement with the user, demonstrations and live displays.

The focus of these discussions will be on innovative and efficient solutions for the support, upkeep and development of land equipment for contingent operations to ensure future sustainability.

The event provides a clear opportunity to obtain feedback from military personnel who have used the equipment first hand in operations. In another first for DVD2013, this aspect will be stronger than ever as the Commanding Officer, key commanders and staff from a field army brigade will attend. With recent experience from Afghanistan and a key role in developing contingent capability for the future, key officers with operational experience are uniquely placed to provide the input that all suppliers have consistently sought from DVD.

DVD2013 will consider a whole variety of equipment and capabilities that will feature in the Army 2020 structure, not just vehicles. Major General Carew Wilks, director of land equipment at DE&S explains: “DVD provides a unique opportunity for industry, a range of Government departments, military and other acquisition and support stakeholders to network at a topical and focused event.

“The majority of internal attendees will come from DE&S (principally from the Land and Joint Enablers Domains and Headquarters) and Army Headquarters, along with others in the scrutiny/policy communities at the Defence Academy, training schools, Joint Headquarters and in other key front line commands.

“Attendance at DVD is crucial for industry in helping them to understand how changes in the Defence Strategy could affect their business. Suppliers will also benefit from essential feedback from end-users and will want to make the most of this effective medium for testing ideas and solutions with the stakeholders attending.”

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