UK MOD defence repair organisations set to merge

The UK Ministry of Defence (UK MOD) announced yesterday its decision to merge the Army Base Repair Organisation (ABRO) and the Defence Aviation Repair Agency (DARA) to form a new, in-house defence support group.

The new group will form up in April 2008 and will focus on providing a cost competitive, in-house maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade capability in support of the Armed Forces, operating where appropriate in partnership with industry.

Plans for the future size and shape of the new organisation will be developed over the coming months. Lord Drayson, Minister of State for Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S):

In ABRO and DARA the MOD owns two maintenance, repair and overhaul businesses that have considerable and in some cases unique practical know-how in maintaining land and air based military equipment.

Today's announcement will ensure that the MOD retains the intellectual property and design skills required to maintain operational sovereignty in key areas as set out in the Defence Industrial and Technology Strategies.

We will consult closely with staff and trades unions as the plans for the new organisation develop during the course of 2007.

ABRO is a Government Trading Fund originally established to repair and maintain military equipment and employs approximately 2,100 staff. Its Head Office is located in Andover and it provides strategic direction to business units at Bovington, Catterick, Colchester, Donnington, Stirling and Warminster.

Launched on 1 April 1999, DARA brought together the RAF Maintenance Group Defence Agency (MGDA) and the Naval Aircraft Repair Organisation (NARO). Its Head Office and large aircraft facility are based at St Athan in Barry, Wales.

The Defence Industrial and Technology Strategies set out the key capabilities required to ensure equipment can be operated in a way the UK MOD judges will best support the UK's Armed Forces, now and in the future.

Source: UK MOD

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