Defence Evaluation and Research Agency

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The Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (normally known as DERA), was a part of the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) until July 2, 2001. At the time it was the United Kingdom's largest science and technology organisation. DERA was split into two organisations: a commercial firm, QinetiQ, and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).

QinetiQ incorporates the majority of DERA, with Dstl assuming responsibility for the most sensitive of DERA's operations, e.g. nuclear, chemical, and biological research.

DERA was formed in April 1995 as an amalgamation of the following:

Defence Research Agency (DRA) which was set up in April 1991 and comprised the Royal Aircraft Establishment (RAE); Admiralty Research Establishment (ARE); Royal Armament Research and Development Establishment (RARDE); and, Royal Signals and Radar Establishment (RSRE)
Defence Test and Evaluation Organisation (DTEO)
Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment (CBDE at Porton Down)
Centre for Defence Analysis (CDA)

The chief executive throughout DERA's existence was John Chisholm. DERA's staffing level was around 9000 scientists, technologists and support staff.