Counter Explosive Ordnance Defence Engagement (CEDE)
The focal point in the UK Ministry of Defence for international Government to Government (G2G) requests and UK Resilience for contracted support in the management of the threats and risks from conventional munitions, Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and Chemical Biological Radiological Explosive Ordnance (CBR-EO).
Contents
- Policy Guidance
- Catalogue (to follow)
- Supplier Handbook (to follow)
- Background
- Lines of Effort
- Vision
- Mission Statement
Government Assured – Contractor Delivered
Policy Guidance
The Joint Service Policy 364 [Reference B] states at Para 44:
‘Defence Engagement (DE). Defence Explosive Ordnance Disposal & Search (EOD&S) DE is dictated by the Defence Single Tasking Authority (DSTA), through the Land Operations Centre (LOC) or Maritime Operations Centre (MOC) and direct to units. As the Defence lead for EOD&S DE, DEODS is to be informed of all activity for verification of security or information sharing constraints, and for overall awareness. Where C-EO DE opportunities exceed Defence’s capacity, and are deemed necessary, any commercial options are to be coordinated through the Counter Explosive Ordnance & Defence Engagement Office (CEDE) in close consultation with Deputy Comd (CBRNE) 8 Engr Bde, AH DEODS, and MOD Head Office and governed through a joint coordination authority (JCA), specifically established for this purpose [the CEDE Joint Management Board].’
Background
The CEDE Office was set up in December 2018 in Security, Policy and Operations (SPO) in MOD Head Office to provide a centrally managed office for G2G requests for support where there is a threat from EO, and aligned UK interests. In 2024 the CEDE Office moved to the Field Army to better align operational output, assurance and governance as a Whole Force Approach.
EO threats include conventional munitions, IED and CBR payloads. In addition to Counter-IED (C-IED) and EOD capacity building; requests also focus on the management of partner nation Weapons, Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives (WOME), including legacy stockpile management, to underpin the United Nations Global Framework for Trough-Life Conventional Ammunition Management,[1] and in support of the FCDO’s Counter Proliferation & Arms Control Centre.
The British Armed Forces are world leaders in EOD&S and C-IED activity and have proven this in many operational theatres over the last 30 years. Holistically this is known as C-EO. Whether as an element of law enforcement or in combat, the UK has an established record in defeating IEDs and their associated networks. C-EO is therefore a valuable capability which is in high demand, particularly as part of the UK overseas Capability Building and Security Cooperation linked to strategic influence. The current capacity to conduct C-EO DE activity with Service Personnel (SP) is constrained by workforce availability. Due to this limited military capacity, and the prioritisation of ‘Warfighting’, the UK has been unable to exploit its global reputation for countering explosive ordnance, despite the high demand. Military Training Teams were short-term and often could not be part of a longer-term capacity building programme.
The CEDE Office was established as a joint MOD / FCDO Services initiative to address these issues and is now the HMG single point of contact for servicing all government-sponsored requests for C-EO.
In 2025, the CEDE Office and its specialist framework of suppliers became the Army’s chosen solution to deliver the future contracted element of Explosive Ordnance Clerance (EOC) in the UK on Defence estate or alienated land; a requirement born from the Air disbandment of 5131 Sqn, obsolescence via Civil Servant recruitment bans of the Army’s EOC Gp, and re-role of a Royal Engineer EOD Regiment under Army re-structuring. The CEDE Office will grow by one position to deliver the programme management and assurance of this legislative Defence responsibility, and its contracted solutions.
In 2025 the CEDE Office also became a component of the formal contingency plan for Op TAPESTRY[2] under the Standing Joint Command UK. CEDE would contract its suppliers to provide CMD response within the UK to allow military capability to deploy in the event of War; maintaining no-fail risk to life response under the Home Office Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the MOD to ensure Homeland resilience.
The CEDE Office enables the UK MOD and OGDs to quickly access C-EO Suitably Qualified and Experienced Persons (SQEP), and to deliver projects in a safe and professional manner, ensuring value for money, providing increased probability of effective overseas Capacity Building and a contribution to the Integrated Global Defence Network (IGDN) establishing long‑lasting relationships and influence with our allies and partners. CEDE drives growth at home, targeted at UK Small to Medium Enterprises (SME) and UK C-EO supply chain. The CEDE model conducts business discovery in support of Defence diplomacy objectives and provides contractor solutions to supplement military capability, aligned to the Defence Strategy.
[1] Use, promote and enhance relevant international standards, guidelines and good practices on safe, secure and sustainable through-life conventional ammunition management. Employ adequate risk reduction processes for the management of national conventional ammunition stockpiles. Deny unauthorised recipients, including criminals, organised criminal groups and terrorists, access to usable cached, abandoned and uncleared conventional ammunition.
[2] Military Assistance to the Civil Authority for EOD and CBRNE in the UK.
Catalogue
Supplier handbook
Vision
‘The CEDE Office Supports the Integrated Global Defence Network (IGDN), projects UK influence, gains access for the diplomatic platform, enables UK prosperity providing UK suppliers growth in exports, enhancing security at home and abroad, making the world a safer place, securing the UK as a global influencer in Counter Explosive Ordnance.’
Mission Statement
To deliver specialist Counter Explosive Ordnance contracted capability on behalf of the 8 Engineer Brigade and Defence. The CEDE Office will enable assured contractor delivered solutions to G2G or UK Defence requests for countering the threat and risks from explosive ordnance at home and overseas:
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Develop IGDN directed opportunities with international partners and government offices to capture requirements, develop courses of action, qualify optimal capacity building and broaden influence within Defence’s regional interests.
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Deliver C-EO training on behalf of Land Warfare Centre (LWC) and International Defence Training Army (IDT (A)) where demand exists.
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Support HMG and Defence by providing EOC contracted solutions to counter the threat of legacy explosive ordnance in the UK iso Army, Air and Defence Infrastructure Organisation.
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Provide the NATO C-EO Project Manager to the Tunisian C-IED Centre of Excellence (TC2E).
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Conduct rapid Commercial Off-the Shelf (COTS) procurement to support DEODS project delivery when authorised by exception.
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Support Defence in the delivery of specialist C-IED courses for Defence capability enhancement.
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Initiate competitive tenders in-order-to place contracts with assured UK suppliers and manage the effective delivery of each contract from contract award to closure, to performance, cost and time targets.
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Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of each delivery through a comprehensive MOD assurance and stakeholder management programme, reporting to the CEDE Joint Management Board.
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BPT Develop the migration of Army UK EOC delivery to CEDE project management and commence the commercial process; have a project plan for Def Trg Est routine EOC.
In-order-to enhance Defence capacity, support the UK’s Defence Diplomacy Strategy, Defence Industrial Strategy, and support the International Global Defence Network, project UK influence, gain access for diplomatic platforms, enable UK prosperity, and enhance security at home and overseas.