Armed Forces Minister Bob Ainsworth MP has today launched “Defence Travel”, a new online service which enables British forces in the UK and overseas to book business travel. The service has been developed collaboratively between the Ministry of Defence (MOD), Capgemini UK plc, Hogg Robinson Group and various other suppliers.

Users of the new site will be able to book travel via air, rail, road and reserve accommodation from anywhere in the world. The service replaces a diverse portfolio of existing systems used by different units, including paper-based processes involving form-filling and the production of printed warrants. Over 300,000 Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force and MOD personnel will be able to use the service, delivering expected cost savings of around £35m annually.

Sir Ian Andrews, Second Permanent Under-Secretary at the MOD, said: “We are confident that the new service will provide a better service to users and save significant sums of money, helping to ensure that as much as possible of every pound we spend is directed to the front line where it can really make an impact on achieving our objectives.”

Vendors supporting Capgemini on the Defence Travel project include Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Cognos and KDS.