Guidance

Defence Estate Optimisation (DEO) Portfolio

DEO is the single biggest estates change programme within Defence, investing £5.1bn in modern, greener and more sustainable infrastructure.

• From: Ministry of Defence
• Published: 15 October 2020
• Last updated: 17 October 2024 — See all updates

Context and major investment projects

DEO was mobilised in late 2016 to contribute to the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review’s commitment to invest in key defence sites and meet future force structure requirements.

Major projects therefore include the infrastructure for the Army’s new structure under Future Soldier, RAF Officer and recruit training, as well as the new home for the Red Arrows.

DEO is also delivering new and refurbished military accommodation and housing for over 40,000 soldiers, airmen, sailors and their families.

Additionally, it will provide contemporary office space for over 14,900 people, 101 specialist military facilities including workshops, garages, medical, dental and sports amenities, and education and training facilities for over 49,000 people.

Construction is underway or has completed on 14 projects with contracts placed for further development at sites across the UK.

Site disposals

As part of the optimisation process, defence will dispose of sites that are no longer required for military use as units move to more purpose-built facilities.

Disposing of these sites create exciting opportunities for alternative use, resulting in regeneration, business growth and job creation within the local area. To date, DEO has released over 1,430 hectares of surplus Defence land for commercial and residential development at 25 sites.

Full details of the sites identified for disposal can be found in the related documents.

Related documents

• DEO Disposal Timeline 2024 (accessible version) (ODT, 7.28 KB)
• DEO Disposal Timeline 2024 (PDF, 121 KB, 1 page)
• DEO Investment map (PDF, 720 KB, 1 page)
• SRO vision (PDF, 53 KB, 1 page)
• A Better Defence Estate
• Defence Disposal Database

Related news

• DEO wins for sustainable construction at the 33rd Sanctuary Awards
• MOD signs infrastructure contracts at RAF Waddington – the new home of the Red Arrows
• Approval granted for 1,300 new homes in Ripon
• Royal Army Chaplains’ Museum attracts global visitors
• Construction begins on DIO’s new Whittington headquarters
• Defence Secretary announced five-year plan for key military sites
• Major refurb project delivers new conference centre for Aldershot Garrison

Published 15 October 2020
Last updated 17 October 2024 + show all updates

1. 17 October 2024

   Updated 'DEO Disposal Timeline 2024'.

2. 25 July 2024

   Added a news story to 'Related news'.

3. 20 March 2024

   Added a news story to 'Related news'.

4. 11 January 2024

   Updated information on DEO's investment projects and optimisation.

5. 7 December 2023

   Added latest news story under 'Related news' section.

6. 9 March 2023

   Added latest news story under 'Related news' section.

7. 28 February 2023

   Updated 'DEO Disposal Timeline 2023' and added latest news story.

8. 30 November 2022

   Webpage updated with most recent portfolio.

9. 25 November 2022

   Webpage content updated with most recent information about DEO.

10. 28 June 2022

    Addition of 'DEO disposal timeline 2022'.

11. 9 December 2021

    Added an updated version of the DEO Disposal Timeline.

12. 1 December 2021

    Updated: DEO Disposal Timeline 2021.

13. 29 April 2021

    Updated: DEO Disposal Timeline 2021 (updated April 2021).

14. 17 November 2020

    Updated the DEO Disposals Database documents with the latest amendments.

15. 15 October 2020

    First published.