Press release

Reflecting on the importance of defence work at Porton Down

The Defence Secretary visits Dstl as it marks 100 years of defence operations at the site.

Enigma machine used during World War Two to deipher German signals

The Secretary of State for Defence has been visiting staff at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) at Porton Down to see the work being carried out for the defence and security of the UK.

Scientists, engineers and analysts at the site told Michael Fallon MP about some of their work, including support to the Armed Forces on operations, providing forensic analysis and cyber defence.

As Dstl marks 100 years of defence operations at the Porton Down site, the Defence Secretary was shown an Enigma coding machine, invented by a German and used by Britain to decipher German signals during World War Two. He was also shown a present day encryption device.

Reflecting on the work at the site, Michael Fallon said:

Dstl continues to carry out vital work at a site which has a long history of protecting our Armed Forces, whether through the development of respirators, or innovative new body armour. The ground breaking research continues to help defend the UK from a multitude of threats.

Dstl media enquiries

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Published 6 April 2016