Defence Support Modelling and Analysis Framework · first published 4 April 2024
The Defence Support Modelling and Analysis Framework sets out how the Ministry of Defence (MOD) intends to improve the quality and consistency of modelling and analysis used to make decisions about maintaining, supplying and supporting military equipment — covering everything from inventory and maintenance to whole-life cost and supply chain resilience. It is led by the Chief of Defence Logistics and Support (CDLS) and applies across Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA), Front Line Commands, and — critically — industry suppliers. The framework explicitly names industry as a key enabler and collaborator, and commits to opening up MOD modelling tools, techniques and data to the whole Defence Support community including industry. For small businesses working in defence support — whether in logistics, engineering, maintenance, data, or digital services — this signals growing demand for modelling and analysis capability, data quality work, and digital tooling. There are no new procurement rules or scoring criteria in this document; it is a strategy setting direction toward 2030, not a procurement policy note. The immediate relevance is intelligence: firms that build modelling, data, and digital analysis capability aligned to MOD's stated priorities are better positioned for future contracts.
WHO THIS APPLIES TO
THE ENKII VIEW
This framework is a market-shaping signal rather than a procurement rule-change. MOD is explicitly acknowledging capability gaps — poor data, reactive processes, limited through-life modelling — and committing to engage industry to fill them, including a stated possibility of "external assistance" for several change interventions. SMEs with skills in data engineering, modelling tools (e.g. inventory, supply chain, whole-life cost), AI/machine learning for maintenance, or digital twin development are directly in scope of the capability MOD says it lacks. The Support Advantage Industry Charter and the Community of Practice (CoP) channels named in the document are concrete routes for SMEs to get visibility before contracts are placed.
1. Review the nine core support modelling and analysis activity types listed in this framework (e.g. Whole Life Cost Modelling, Supply Chain Modelling, Maintenance Modelling) and assess honestly which you can evidence capability in — then make that capability visible in your capability statements and pre-qualification submissions to DE&S and SDA.
SMEs supplying or seeking to supply defence support services (logistics, engineering, equipment support, data, digital) — The framework explicitly lists these nine activity types as what platforms and programmes 'should consider', meaning buyers will look for these capabilities in future support contracts.
2. Engage with the Team Defence Information (TDI) Modelling and Analysis Community of Practice (CoP) and seek to sign or align with the Support Advantage Industry Charter to get early visibility of requirements before contracts are placed.
SMEs in data, digital, AI/ML, or modelling and analysis with defence interest — The framework names the CoP as the body that identified the gap this framework addresses, and the Charter signatories are 'committed to delivering this Framework' — early engagement puts you in the conversation before procurement starts.
3. Position your offer around MOD's diagnosed weaknesses — poor data availability, incoherent data management, absence of data dictionaries and APIs — and reference the Defence Data Analytics Platform (DDAP) as a target environment your solutions can integrate with.
SMEs with data engineering, data quality, or data governance capability — The framework states data quality and availability is 'a critical issue' and that specific data requirements from third parties 'may require contract changes / additional contractual obligations', signalling near-term procurement activity.
4. Build and document capability in through-life (not just in-service) modelling — particularly early lifecycle stages such as concept and assessment — since MOD explicitly identifies the current gap as a focus on in-service inventory only.
SMEs in modelling, simulation, digital twin, or AI/ML for maintenance and logistics — The framework diagnoses the current state as 'Inventory rather than Support focus' and calls for through-life engagement from pre-concept to disposal; firms that can fill the early-lifecycle gap are directly addressing the stated shortfall.
5. Monitor DE&S and SDA procurement pipelines from 2024 onwards for opportunities related to the five change interventions — particularly any calls for 'external assistance' in establishing the support modelling and analysis framework team or delivering individual interventions.
All SMEs in the defence support supply chain — The framework explicitly states 'it is likely that additional funding will need to be sought and there is a potential requirement for external assistance' across multiple interventions, indicating future contract opportunities.
Every rule below quotes the official document verbatim.
The framework covers all three support elements — Logistics Support, Engineering Support and Equipment Support — across the full equipment lifecycle (concept through disposal), and explicitly includes industry as a collaborator. (MOD, DE&S, SDA, Front Line Commands, and industry — all values, defence sector)
“The scope of this Support Modelling and Analysis Framework encompasses all three Support elements, namely Logistics Support, Engineering Support and Equipment Support, which are outlined in the DSS.”
DE&S and the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) are responsible for placing and managing the majority of support contracts and are key organisations for implementing this framework. (DE&S and SDA as primary contracting organisations)
“Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) and the Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA), maintain responsibility for placing and managing the majority of Support contracts, and as such they are key organisations for the implementation of this Framework.”
The nine core support modelling and analysis activity types that platforms and programmes should consider are: Whole Life Cost Modelling, Fleet Modelling, Maintenance Modelling, Inventory Modelling, Supply Chain Modelling, Facilities Modelling, Personnel Modelling, Sustainable Support Modelling, and Training Modelling. (All platforms and programmes across the CADMID lifecycle, MOD and industry)
“Whole Life Cost Modelling • Fleet Modelling • Maintenance Modelling • Inventory Modelling • Supply Chain Modelling • Facilities Modelling • Personnel Modelling • Sustainable Support Modelling • Training Modelling”
MOD commits to opening up modelling tools, techniques, and operating models to the whole Defence Support community, including industry, on a common platform using a common endorsed support modelling data set. (MOD and industry, all values)
“open-up our modelling tools, techniques and operating models to the whole Defence Support community, including industry. This open approach will enable 'what if' scenario and simulation testing on a common platform using a common and endorsed support modelling data set.”
The framework acknowledges that additional funding will likely be needed and that there is a potential requirement for external assistance across multiple change interventions. (Framework delivery team; implies potential contracting opportunities for industry)
“it is likely that additional funding will need to be sought and there is a potential requirement for external assistance.”
Industry is explicitly listed as a stakeholder to be engaged across all five change interventions, including prioritisation, process review, architecture and toolsets, data improvement, and workforce planning. (All industry suppliers engaged in defence support, all values)
“The Ministry of Defence (MOD) and industry are key enablers to successful establishment of an integrated through life, end to end, Support modelling and analysis capability.”
Near-term actions (2023–2024) include engaging industry and academia on modelling and analysis good practice, identifying datasets, and reviewing current resources and workforce requirements. (MOD and industry, 2023–2024 delivery window)
“Engage with Industry/Academia/MOD Functions on Support modelling and analysis good practice. • Identify and engage with current data improvements programmes. • Identify and prioritise required datasets.”
The strategic outcomes and continuous improvement of tools, technologies, and data are targeted for delivery by 2030. (MOD and Defence Support Enterprise, target year 2030)
“Continuous Improvement of Support modelling and analysis tools and technologies. • Continuous Improvement of data availability and quality.”
The current state of support modelling and analysis is diagnosed as focused on in-service inventory only, reactive, lacking skilled personnel (SQEP), and characterised by poor data availability and quality. (MOD internal diagnosis; signals capability gaps industry may address)
“Inventory rather than Support focus. • Insufficient SQEP. • Reactive rather than proactive Support modelling and analysis service. • Poor exploitation of Integrated Architecture. • Poor availability and quality of data.”
The Support Advantage Industry Charter, signed at Support NET 2022, brings together the MOD Support Function, DE&S, and major industry players and commits them to delivering this framework. (Signatories to the Support Advantage Industry Charter; relevant to all industry suppliers seeking to engage)
“The signatories of that Charter have brought the Defence Support organisation, DE&S, and industry together in committing to deliver this Framework.”
Specific data contracts with third parties may require contract changes or additional contractual obligations to secure required data from suppliers. (Industry suppliers holding or managing defence support data)
“Specific data requirement from 3rd Parties may require contract changes / additional contractual obligations.”
Defence Digital has introduced the Defence Data Analytics Platform (DDAP), which offers services and an environment for support modelling and analysis that industry can exploit. (MOD and industry users of support modelling and analysis toolsets)
“Defence Digital has introduced the Defence Data Analytics Platform (DDAP) which offers a number of services and environment for Support modelling and analysis.”
This briefing is enkii's interpretation of the official document — the official text always governs.
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