Defence and IT contractor Leidos and DHL Supply Chain have formed a strategic alliance to bid for a major Ministry of Defence (MOD) logistics contract under the Future Defence Support Services (FDSS) programme.
The two companies will operate as the Logistics & Mission Support Alliance, combining Leidos’ defence systems integration expertise with DHL Supply Chain’s logistics operations in an effort to secure the next generation of defence support work.
If successful, the partnership will be responsible for delivering logistics services designed to improve the resilience and responsiveness of the Armed Forces’ supply chain, while supporting the MOD’s plans to modernise defence logistics.
The alliance said it would draw on DHL’s global logistics network and Leidos’ experience of delivering defence programmes to maintain supplies during periods of disruption and provide additional capacity when required.
It also plans to use technologies including artificial intelligence, automation and data analytics to improve visibility of inventory, assets and demand across the supply chain.
Adam Clarke, Leidos UK & Europe chief executive, said the partnership would combine the two companies’ capabilities to provide logistics support for the Armed Forces.
“Leidos and DHL bring together proven delivery expertise and complementary strengths to transform how Defence logistics is delivered,” he said.
“Through this alliance, we are aligning capability, data and decision-making to enable faster, more resilient and more precise support to the UK’s Armed Forces.
By combining advanced technologies with deep operational experience, we will strengthen readiness, improve visibility and deliver the agility Defence needs to respond with confidence in an increasingly complex and contested environment.”
Martin Willmor, chief executive of DHL Supply Chain UK & Ireland, said the FDSS programme represented an opportunity to modernise defence logistics at a time of growing operational demands.
The MOD’s FDSS programme is intended to replace existing logistics arrangements with a more integrated support model designed to improve operational readiness while making greater use of digital technology and data-driven decision making.
The alliance is one of a number of industry teams expected to compete for the high-profile contract.
