18th - 19th September, 2024
UTAC Millbrook, Bedfordshire
For the first time in over two-decades, biennial defence industry exhibition, DVD, has closed registration early due to high visitor numbers. With more registrations than ever before, and increased exhibitor numbers, DVD2024 represents an ideal opportunity for industry to engage with Defence Equipment & Support (Land Equipment), British Army and key stakeholders.
The UK’s only defence show delivered by defence, for defence, DVD2024, provides an effective and efficient forum for all those involved in the land equipment sector, to develop ideas and generate a greater understanding of technologies, capabilities and requirements.
The focus for DVD2024 will be on working together to pull the future into the present and delivering a more modern, more lethal and more productive Army; forming military partnerships and generating investment into UK industry through the Land Industrial Strategy; learning from current conflicts and adapting at pace to optimise procurement priorities; accelerating the Future Soldier programme; and working with industry to exploit science and technology to develop next-generation capabilities to meet the requirements of a modern and lethal army.
Another first for DVD, will see this year’s event welcome Women in Defence UK, an independent not-for-profit organisation, founded by former Army officer Angela Owen OBE, which challenges the norms and prompts progressive thinking through in-depth discussions with Senior Officers and Officials. Angela will be joined by Andy Start, CEO of DE&S on the main plenary stage at DVD2024, where she’ll ask some tough questions about gender balance and equity within the MOD.
Commenting on the overwhelming interest in this year’s event, the DE&S project manager behind DVD2024, Ali O’Hagan explains: “This is the first DVD event that I’ve managed, and I’m pleased and proud of the interest DVD2024 has gained from industry, our land equipment teams, British Army, key stakeholders and the media.
“I’m looking forward to a busy and exciting event later this month, with demonstrations of the British Army’s capabilities, discussions about our shared goals and objectives, and to see first-hand, the technologies and innovations that the land equipment sector has to offer.”
DVD2024 is excited to announce that it will welcome Women in Defence UK to its event at UTAC Millbrook this September. Jointly sponsored by Defence Equipment & Support (Land Equipment) and Army Headquarters, DVD2024 will provide opportunities for industry and key MOD stakeholders to discuss ‘Battle Winning Ideas’, resilience and collaboration, delivering increased capability and the ability to exploit innovation.
Women in Defence UK is an independent not-for-profit organisation, founded by former Army officer Angela Owen OBE, which challenges the norms and prompts progressive thinking through in-depth discussions with Senior Officers and Officials. Angela will be joined by Andy Start, CEO of Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) on the main plenary stage at DVD2024, where she’ll ask some tough questions about gender balance and equity within the MoD.
As a member of the Women in Defence UK Strategic Advisory Board, Andy is passionate about equity, diversity and inclusion and is looking forward to recognising the huge strides that have already been achieved and the work still to be done in order to effect real change in the defence sector.
The challenge interview will be followed by a panel session, with representatives from the Women in Defence Charter, Army, DE&S and industry invited to take part in a Q&A.
Angela Owen OBE explains: “Women in Defence UK is delighted to be part of DVD2024, a partnership that will add to the positive outcomes of our journey towards diversity and equity in the defence sector. My discussion with Andy at the event will be the next in our well-established Challenge interview series and I’m looking forward to talking to him about his commitment to challenging, inspiring and progressing towards a critical mass in our field, and how we can push the boundaries even further.
Andy Start, CEO of Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) says: “I’m immensely proud to be a member of the Women in Defence UK Strategic Advisory Board and look forward to welcoming Angela and some of the Charter members to DVD2024. Events such as these are pivotal for open discussions around the challenges and opportunities when it comes to driving real change in equity, diversity and inclusion in defence and I always look forward to taking part.”
For further information about DVD2024 visit www.theevent.co.uk.
Follow @dvd_event and #DVD2024 on X and LinkedIn for regular updates and information about the event.
The themes for DVD2024 have recently been announced, and with a focus on working together to pull the future into the present, the event will be closely following the sustainability and technology targets that will enable transformation.
Keen to find out more about how the British Army is embracing low-carbon technologies to gain an operational advantage, whilst ensuring it is capable of dealing with the challenges presented by climate change, we spoke to Army Headquarters’ Climate Change and Sustainability Team.
How is the British Army transforming for a sustainable future?
The Army recognises that the impact of climate change and sustainability is a totemic issue; it must be considered in everything we do, addressing both the causes and consequences. Our goal is to operate as a climate change and sustainability leader within the MOD, across government and our allies, embracing transformation to secure competitive advantage.
Whilst the Army is committed to incorporating the climate change and sustainability principles, its primary purpose of protecting the British people and the UK’s interests at home and abroad remains our focus.
The Army has initiated Project TERRA to deliver a coherent, costed and profiled plan against carbon targets, climate change and sustainability initiatives. The Project TERRA directive considers the impact of climate change in contexts such as military training, personnel well-being, equipment capability, procurement, estate operations, and civilian infrastructure.
In consultation with KPMG, the Army is using the Defence Climate Risk Assessment Methodology to map out risks and opportunities that may arise on our journey towards Net Zero and build our adaptation and mitigation pathway. As this engagement develops, it is important to acknowledge that risk assessment is playing a fundamental role in shaping our approach to achieving Net Zero targets.
How is the Army harnessing electric and hybrid technology within its vehicle fleet, both today and in its plans for the future?
As the Sectoral Lead for Surface Transport (excluding white fleet), the Army is considering options for achievable levels of operational emission reduction through studies, trials and support to the Defence Operational Energy Strategy. These include:
How will adopting new technologies ensure the British Army becomes more sustainable, whilst also enhancing its capabilities?
Climate change and sustainability compliance will enhance the Army’s operational effectiveness both at home and overseas. By embracing the opportunities from low carbon or sustainable technology we can maintain and grow our strategic advantage and enhance our capability while reducing our logistic tail, optimising resources, and minimising wastage. Moving to renewable energy sources has the dual advantage of significant tactical and operational advantages in addition to reduced emissions. For example, research taking place around electric drive vehicles aims to prevent delays to logistical supply, enabling the Army to operate both for longer periods without resupply and at greater reach across an increasingly dispersed battlefield.
How is the Army using other fossil-fuel alternatives, such as solar power, to drive its green future?
The Army is investing in renewable energy opportunities, such as ground-mounted solar photovoltaic panels installed under Project PROMETHEUS. The energy generation and storage projects like PROMETHEUS and STORE provide a level of infrastructure resilience and are central to the reduction of expenditure on utilities, meeting the Greening Government Commitments and Net Zero targets. The impact of this is being amplified with investment in technology to reduce energy consumption like LED lighting and investment in building energy management systems.
What are the opportunities for the Army in embracing a sustainable future?
While still in concept phase, one of the seven objectives of the Land Industrial Strategy is to proactively support environmentally sustainable and responsible vehicles. Through the development of digital twins and synthetic training systems, the Army is investigating options for reducing the amount of live training and thus carbon footprint while maintaining operational effectiveness. Reducing obsolescence in projects like the Land Deep Fires Programme is also seeing the removal of harmful legacy substances such as ‘F’ gases and lead.
On the estate, we have a programme to improve Single Living Accommodation (SLA), starting at sites in poor condition, which will benefit both our people and the environment. The SLA programme is using modern methods of construction and off-site modular manufacturing processes to reduce embodied carbon and manufacturing costs. These methods are designed to minimise operation energy usage and are fit for future Net Zero Carbon measures.
On 18th and 19th September 2024, industry and Defence in the Land Equipment sector will meet at UTAC Millbrook for two days of coordinated engagement, on subjects such as this. Jointly sponsored by Defence Equipment & Support (Land Equipment) and Army Headquarters, DVD2024 will provide opportunities for industry and key MOD stakeholders to discuss ‘Battle Winning Ideas’, resilience and collaboration, delivering increased capability and the ability to exploit innovation.
For further information visit www.theevent.co.uk
Technology Demonstrator #6 (TD6) vehicle at DVD2022
DVD 2024
UTAC Millbrook
18 – 19 September 2024
DVD2024: Collaboration is key to delivering a more modern, more lethal and more productive Army
On 18th and 19th September 2024, industry and Defence in the Land Equipment sector will meet at UTAC Millbrook for two days of coordinated engagement through informal discussions, briefings, demonstrations and displays. Jointly sponsored by Defence Equipment & Support (Land Equipment) and Army Headquarters, DVD2024 will provide opportunities for industry and key MOD stakeholders to discuss ‘Battle Winning Ideas’, resilience and collaboration, delivering increased capability and the ability to exploit innovation.
Working closely with DE&S and industry, the British Army is evolving; investing £41bn into land equipment, infrastructure and training over the next decade in order to accelerate the delivery of its equipment programme, and pursuing international collaborations to win a greater share of the global land export market.
DVD is a biennial Defence industry exhibition that enables focused engagement between Defence industry, DE&S Delivery Teams, Army Headquarters staff and other Defence community users of Land Equipment.
The focus for DVD2024 will be on working together to pull the future into the present and delivering a more modern, more lethal and more productive Army; forming military partnerships and generating investment into UK industry through the Land Industrial Strategy; learning from current conflicts and adapting at pace to optimise procurement priorities; accelerating the Future Soldier programme; and working with industry to exploit science and technology to develop next-generation capabilities to meet the requirements of a modern, lethal army.
Maj Gen Lizzie Faithfull-Davies CBE, the newly appointed Director of Land Equipment, said: “The role of DVD has always been crucial to defence procurement, encouraging collaboration between industry, our customers in the Army, and ourselves in DE&S as collectively we seek to continue building a more modern and lethal Army.
“I am delighted that in my new role as Director of Land Equipment I am able to be more directly involved in DVD2024 and I am looking forward to having the opportunity to engage with industry, alongside Army HQ and HQ Field Army staff. The event will provide a unique opportunity for industry to gain a better understanding of MOD needs, through direct engagement with Army, and the expertise of DE&S staff to advise on procurement and support issues. DVD also provides an opportunity for industry-to-industry engagement.”
For those involved in Land Equipment for Army Headquarters, DE&S and Front-Line Commands DVD2024 provides an ideal opportunity to identify innovation, develop ideas and generate a greater understanding of technologies, capabilities and requirements.
For further information visit www.theevent.co.uk
Follow @dvd_event on Twitter and LinkedIn and #DVD2024 for regular updates and information about the event.
DVD2024 marks more than two-decades of the most significant exhibition for Defence industry, DE&S Delivery Teams, Army HQ and Defence community users of Land Equipment. Staged at UTAC Millbrook since 2003, DVD is a two-day event, which will take place on 18th and 19th September 2024.
This year is the second time that Lt Col Martin Hickie has taken the helm as DVD Programme Manager, following his successful delivery of the event in 2022. We met with Martin to find out more.
Could you give us a very quick summary of your career history?
Commissioned in the Scots Guards in 2000, I joined the 1st Battalion when it was undertaking ceremonial duties in London. Deployed to Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan on operational tours in various roles, I developed knowledge, skills and experience in capability and acquisition, in both customer and delivery agent roles, and worked in Finance and Military Capability (FMC) infrastructure during the UK Government’s Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy.
Why is DVD so important to Defence?
It’s difficult to underestimate the importance of bringing our customers, delivery agents, international allies, and industry partners together at UTAC Millbrook Proving Ground to discuss the collective challenge Defence has in meeting the threats to UK security. The British Army has plans to become a more modern and lethal Army, while strengthening prosperity, and we can only deliver that vision through collaboration across multiple organisations.
Setting clear goals and working together, with a common understanding to meet our objectives, is key. DVD provides a critical opportunity in the Defence diary to discuss those goals and objectives; to update our industry partners; and to see, first-hand, the remarkable innovation that industry has to offer; and indeed, to be challenged by alternative viewpoints.
Importantly, DVD has evolved, and today we bring our international partners and allies along with us, as we face up to global security challenges. DVD is further raising its profile by supporting our international export campaigns to assist with Defence’s contribution to UK prosperity.
What challenges do you face in delivering DVD, and how are these managed?
For the Land Equipment Operating Centre (LEOC) within Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), planning and delivering an event on this scale can feel quite daunting. We’re expecting in the region of 6,000 visitors this year, around 200 industry exhibitors and stands from our own operating centre, the Army and other MOD stakeholders. This is all delivered by a relatively small team from DE&S, Army and UTAC – our delivery partner for DVD – and for many of us, this is a secondary responsibility.
The task is, however, made simpler by the professionalism and enthusiasm of that small team, who are committed to the task and see the value that their efforts make within UK Defence. This is backed up by strong sponsorship of the event through Director General Land in DE&S and the Deputy Chief of the General Staff, who have made Director Land Equipment, DE&S, and Director Programmes, Army HQ, jointly responsible for the delivery of DVD. This high-profile overview allows us to engage widely across Defence, to unlock challenges, demonstrate collaboration and create a sense of shared ownership.
What do you hope people will gain from DVD2024?
What people gain will very much depend on where they are coming from and what they want to get from the event. There is value for everyone who attends. For service personnel, I would want them to have the opportunity to see the impressive kit that the Army and DE&S are bringing into service now, to get ‘hands on’ and experience the ride and drive facility on the off-road area, and to leave with a sense that industry is listening and delivering on everyone’s behalf!
For industry, I want them to have an opportunity to connect directly with their customers in Defence, allowing them to have both formal and informal discussions about how we can help one another going forward, as well as providing the opportunity to engage with other industry suppliers at the event. This is particularly important for Small and Medium Enterprises, who have a unique opportunity to get in front of the Army and DE&S at DVD.
For those of us in capability and acquisition roles, I hope we get to see what’s on offer and catch a glimpse of where industry is driving the innovation that will assist us in the future, as well as getting a chance to engage over the joint programmes we’re delivering today.
Which elements of DVD are you most proud of?
I think it’s knowing that what we’re doing is really important for Defence. The feedback we got from DVD2022 was positive and insightful, and it reinforced just how much business value people get from the event. That value ultimately translates into delivering land equipment capability into the hands of service personnel. Knowing that makes all of the late nights and long hours’ feel worth it!
For further information and to register your interest as an exhibitor at DVD2024, visit www.theevent.co.uk
DVD 2024
UTAC Millbrook
18 – 19 September 2024
VISIT US AT DSEI 2023 (Stand H7-502)
With a legacy spanning more than two-decades, biennial Defence industry exhibition, DVD, is THE EVENT for Defence industry, DE&S Delivery Teams, Army HQ and Defence community users of Land Equipment. Staged at UTAC Millbrook since 2003, DVD is a two-day event, jointly sponsored by Defence Equipment & Support (Land Equipment) and Army Headquarters – the MOD teams responsible for equipping and supporting the UK’s Armed Forces for current and future operations.
The exhibition provides an effective and efficient forum for all those involved in the Land Equipment sector, to develop ideas and generate a greater understanding of technologies, capabilities and requirements. Deliberately scheduled in the years between the biennial DSEI show, DVD remains an essential event in the Defence diary, enabling coordinated engagement through informal discussion, briefings, demonstrations and live displays. Stakeholders from across the MOD are invited to attend, to broaden perspectives and encourage innovation.
DVD2024 will showcase the development and delivery of world class capabilities across the spectrum of Land Equipment, reflecting current procurement and upgrade programmes and future capability requirements.
Attendees will have the opportunity to explore a wide range of equipment on display, from both industry and the military, including everything from specialist vehicles to the equipment and services necessary to support land-based military operations.
Major General Darren Crook, Director Land Equipment, DE&S explains: “As advancements in science, technology, and digitisation continue to influence the British Army’s major equipment programmes, I’m excited to join industry peers to discuss ‘what’s next’ in land operations and capabilities at DVD2024.
“The relationships we have with our stakeholders are fundamental to our ability to make a positive impact to programme delivery. DVD2024 offers a valuable opportunity to enhance our shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities currently faced in the Land Equipment industry, and continue building future engagement and collaboration.”
Exhibiting at DVD 2024
Industry exhibitors are encouraged to share their experience and innovative ideas. They can do this through demonstration of equipment and/or services, engagement with MOD staff and contributing to workshops. By doing so we can mutually develop solutions to meet existing and future Land capability requirements.
Applications to exhibit at DVD2024 are now being taken.
There are two distinct areas where applicants will be able to exhibit their products or services:
For further information and to register your interest as an exhibitor visit www.theevent.co.uk
