Topic Defence, Frameworks, Projects
Date 25 Sep 2025
Galliford Try has officially broken ground on two landmark projects at RAF Leeming in North Yorkshire and RAF Boulmer in Northumberland, marking the first schemes to begin construction under the Strategic Alliance for the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Defence Estate Optimisation (DEO) portfolio.
The £5.1bn DEO investment represents one of the largest infrastructure programmes in a generation, transforming military accommodation, housing, technical, training and office spaces for more than 100,000 service personnel and civilian staff across the UK.
Galliford Try was appointed in 2023 under the Strategic Alliance contract, which streamlines procurement by replacing the traditional project-by-project tendering process with a collaborative, programmatic approach. This enables contractors to share best practice and deliver innovative designs focused on the needs of military personnel.
The £26.5m RAF Boulmer scheme and the £12.74m RAF Leeming scheme will provide the Air C2 (Command and Control) Force with modern, fit-for-purpose Single Living Accommodation and office facilities, supporting its mission to deliver 24/7 air surveillance of the UK and NATO airspace and direct military air systems to safeguard the nation. The work follows the relocation of the Air C2 Force from RAF Scampton and will improve integration, resilience, and agility across operations.
These projects will not only provide high-quality working and living environments for RAF personnel but will also make best use of the defence estate, supporting the MOD’s commitment to operational excellence and sustainability for years to come.
Air Commodore Simon Blackwell, Commander Airbases for the RAF said: “This strategic move supports the RAF’s commitment to operational excellence while reflecting our dedication to providing high-quality working and living environments for our personnel. The relocation enables enhanced integration, resilience, and agility across the Air C2 Force, ensuring it remains ready to meet current and future challenges.”
Christian Standage, Defence Director for Galliford Try, said: “We are delighted to have started on site at RAF Leeming and RAF Boulmer. As the first Strategic Alliance partner to go live on projects from the Defence Estate Optimisation (DEO) portfolio, we want to credit the hard work of our teams working within DIO and the MOD to progress the designs that meet our customer’s aspirations for future defence assets. We look forward to collaborating closely with all stakeholders to make that vision a reality.”
Construction at both sites is being delivered on behalf of the MOD by the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO), which hailed the milestone as a significant step forward in the DEO programme.