Brigadier Paul Hughes

Head of Engineering Assurance and Certification – Land Domain UK Ministry of Defence, Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S)

Brigadier Paul Hughes commissioned into the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineering (REME) in 1992. Following a number of appointments at regimental duty and successful completion of the Officers’ Long Aeronautical Engineering (OLAE) course, he promoted to Major in 2005. Completing SO2 staff appointments supporting the defence training review (DTR) at Cosford and latterly as the lead for personnel and infrastructure on the Army General Staff he was selected for sub-unit command in 2010. Command of 4 Regiment Army Air Corp workshop followed, during which his unit supported Apache Helicopters on Op HERRICK (Afghanistan) and Op ELLAMY (Libya). Subsequently selected to be the engineering member on the 3-man service inquiry panel investigating the Red Arrows’ XX177 fatal accident in Nov 11, he remained committed to the enquiry until its conclusion in 2014. A short period as the mechanical engineering authority within the Apache Helicopter Project Team followed. Gaining promotion to Lieutenant Colonel in Sep 13, assuming the post of continuing airworthiness manager / chief air engineer for Army unmanned air systems he deployed on OP HERRICK (Afghanistan) to support Watchkeeper’s inaugural operational flight. Lieutenant Colonel Hughes was then selected as the inaugural Commanding Officer of 106 Battalion REME in Feb 15. Forming the Army Reserve unit as a result of Army 2020 restructuring, with an Area Of Responsibility (AOR) covering the entirety of Scotland and Northern Ireland, during his tenure he recruited over 350 personnel and deployed the unit to Cyprus on Ex LION STAR. Returning to the Apache Delivery Team in the role of SO1 Engineering Airworthiness Authority in Apr 17 he introduced the Emergency Flotation System to the platform. Short toured from the appointment he gained promotion to Colonel in Apr 18 assuming the role of Type Airworthiness Authority and Chief Engineer within the Remotely Piloted Air Systems’ Delivery Team. He has held type airworthiness authority for the entirety of UK Defence Remotely Piloted Air Systems including Reaper (Class 3), Protector (Class 3), Watchkeeper (Class 2) and Minis Portfolio (Class 1). He also led UK certification effort to gain a Military Type Certificate for the Protector RPAS; an achievement scheduled for achievement in 2024 which will be a global first for an RPAS of the Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) class. Promoted to Brigadier in 2023 he is now the Head of Engineering Assurance for the Land Domain within Defence Equipment and Support responsible for overseeing effective procurement of equipment that is safe to operate. A fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and Chartered Engineer, Brigadier Hughes enjoys mentoring those seeking professional registration and conducting interviews on behalf of the society.