Circularity: unlocking value in Defence equipment support chains

Applying circular economy concepts to military equipment support chains can bring operational, training, financial and environmental benefits. It offers huge potential. 

The principles of circular economy are not alien to the world of defence equipment support. Re-use, repair, optimising through-life availability and systems-thinking are all part of defence DNA. And that’s why at Project One we are optimistic that circularity can be deployed more widely, deeply and systematically to deliver a range of benefits. 

A good place to start unlocking value is the supply chain for unserviceable (U/S) equipment. Working with our customers we see large and growing stockpiles of U/S equipment where the true status is unknown or invisible in supply chain systems. Equipment managers don’t know if an item is repairable, can be recycled or sold, or is beyond economic repair. So, equipment can sit in the warehouse until it becomes obsolete and is eventually disposed through incineration or landfill.  

We are part of a rainbow team of industry and military “circularity enthusiasts” working to address this situation. We are designing circularity interventions in the military equipment supply chain that will give equipment managers better visibility of the engineering reality of U/S equipment and a facility to survey and repair, or strip down and recycle. Our analysis shows that deploying and scaling this process will bring huge benefits: 

• Operationally: repairing equipment that is urgently needed by military units 
• Training: providing opportunities for new and experienced military engineers to develop expertise and breadth 
• Financial: lowering storage and disposal costs of U/S equipment and reducing the costs to buy new 
• Environmental: much higher levels of equipment reuse, salvage and recycling of valuable materials and less disposal and landfill. 

A quadruple bottom-line potential! 

If you’d like to learn more about how Project One can help your business by applying circular economy, please contact theteam@projectone.com