but the principle point is that late emerging problems in complex engineering programmes are expensive to fix
Yes its big news, - sometimes high volume car manufacturers screw up as well as defence contractors - the main points being when they do
a) It doesn't effect operational capability
b) I as a tax payer don't have to pay for it.
One could go on and mention that if the operators of military kit had a mere fraction of the right of redress of complaint that normal consumers have it would focus the minds enormously - to the extent that risk assessment would probably drive the prudent shareholders of BAE right out of the manned aircraft buisiness.
But that might just be stretching a chalk and cheese comparison too far...