Strategy for Defence Infrastructure: Summary
Updated 30 August 2023
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Our estate and infrastructure are at the heart of everything the Ministry of Defence does. It is the key asset where our people live, work and train, from which we operate and from where we deploy. This strategy provides the framework for the transformation and modernisation of the Defence estate and development of its assets over the coming decades. This includes raising the standard of living accommodation for our service personnel, improving the quality of workplaces and maintaining facilities to support Defence’s delivery of globally leading technologies. The estate is fundamental to military capability and this strategy will not only direct activity across Defence infrastructure but provide an ambitious landmark for future aims, such as contributing to the UK’s Net Zero and sustainability commitments in response to the growing threat of climate change.
Within the UK alone, Defence operates from three major naval bases and a further seven supporting maritime establishments, 148 barracks, 37 air stations including 9 major airfields and over 1,800 Reserve and Cadets sites. The Defence estate provides over 100,000 bedspaces and 49,500 homes for personnel and their families. It also includes 58 training establishments and 157,500 hectares of training estate.
The SDI has nine objectives under three policy themes.
Policy theme A: An estate that supports our people and enables Defence capability and the delivery of Defence outputs
Objective 1: Ensure we have the right infrastructure, of the right size and in the right location, both now and in the future.
Objective 2: Arrest and reverse the decline in the condition of our estate.
Objective 3: Ensure our estate is resilient to current and emerging security threats, natural hazards and the impacts of climate change.
Objective 4: Preserve the value of the assets across our estate, maximising their benefit to Defence.
Policy theme B: Modernise the estate, embracing innovation, to ensure that it is fit for the future
Objective 5: Ensure our living and working environment meets the needs of Future Forces.
Objective 6: Ensure sustainability is enhanced across the Defence estate.
Objective 7: Exploit innovation and transform construction and procurement.
Policy theme C: Transform how we think about and manage the estate
Objective 8: Provide effective and integrated infrastructure skills and capacity to enable Defence outputs.
Objective 9: Build and leverage strong partnerships to support MOD in delivering our objectives.
Alongside the Department’s accommodation and future workplace strategies, the SDI will raise the standard of living accommodation for our service personnel, improving the quality of workplaces and supporting smarter working. The SDI is also committed to providing the right skill sets to deliver our infrastructure, with investment into specialist skills as required. This will involve broadening our partnerships with industry, attracting a diverse workforce, exchanging best practice and welcoming new, innovative ideas.
The SDI will support UK growth and Levelling Up through innovation, investment and development. Its focus on sustainability will contribute to achieving the UK’s Net Zero ambitions. This will ensure the estate is prepared for existing and future threats, including the threat of climate change.