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.

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

Related news

Updates to this page

Published 15 October 2020
Last updated 2025 MarchJuly 2024 + show all updates
  1. Added a news story to 'Related news'.

  2. Added a news story to 'Related news'.

  3. Updated information on DEO's investment projects and optimisation.

  4. Added latest news story under 'Related news' section.

  5. Added latest news story under 'Related news' section.

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

  7. Webpage updated with most recent portfolio.

  8. Webpage content updated with most recent information about DEO.

  9. Addition of 'DEO disposal timeline 2022'.

  10. Added an updated version of the DEO Disposal Timeline.

  11. Updated: DEO Disposal Timeline 2021.

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

  13. Updated the DEO Disposals Database documents with the latest amendments.

  14. First published.

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