Defence Evaluation and Research Agency

Defence Research Agency
Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment
Defence Test and Evaluation Organisation
Centre for Defence Analysis

Dissolved2001Superseding agency

Defence Science and Technology Laboratory

JurisdictionUnited KingdomHeadquartersFarnborough, Hampshire, UKAgency executive

Sir John Chisholm, Chief Executive

Parent agencyMinistry of Defence

The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) was a part of the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) between 1995 and 2 July 2001. At the time it was the United Kingdom's largest science and technology organisation. It was regarded by its official history as 'a jewel in the crown' of both government and industry.^[1]

Formation and operation

DERA was formed in April 1995 as an amalgamation of:

Defence Research Agency (DRA) which was set up in April 1991 and comprised
- Royal Aerospace Establishment (RAE)
- Admiralty Research Establishment (ARE)
- Royal Armament Research and Development Establishment (RARDE)
- Royal Signals and Radar Establishment (RSRE)
Defence Test and Evaluation Organisation (DTEO)
Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment (CBDE at Porton Down), which became part of the Protection and Life Sciences Division (PLSD)
Centre for Defence Analysis (CDA).

The chief executive throughout DERA's existence was John Chisholm. DERA's staffing level was around 9,000 scientists, technologists and support staff.

Dissolution

DERA was split into two organisations, based on short-lived transition bodies known as PDERA ("privatised" DERA) - becoming a commercial firm, QinetiQ - and "RDERA" ( "retained" in Government DERA) - becoming the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).

At the split, QinetiQ was formed from the majority (about 3/4 of the staff and most of the facilities) of DERA, with Dstl assuming responsibility for those aspects which were best done in government. A few examples of the work undertaken by Dstl include nuclear, chemical, and biological research. In the time since the split both organisations have undergone significant change programmes. QinetiQ has increased its focus on overseas research with a number of US and other foreign acquisitions, whereas Dstl has a major rationalisation programme.

References

^ Eds. Robert Bud and Philip Gummett, Cold War Hot Science: Applied Research in Britain's Defence Laboratories 1945-1990, Harwood, 1999 ISBN 90-5702-481-0