DPA v BAES
In my humble opinion (based on working with both organisations) the following was true.
BAES cared about profit and not product.
MODPE/DPA cared about process not product.
See the common link, no wonder the product failed.
Whilst all of the aircrew on the IPT were Nimrod experienced, quite a few engineers, especially the senior ones, were not. And of course the officers were posted every 3 to 5 years, otherwise their careers would stagnate. In contrast, service personnel cared most about product but they were not empowered.
Like most things in life, not a single cause for the demise, but when added together it comes as no surprise to find such projects late and over budget.
For DC to cancel the project to make a point that he is a strong leader ( a view I personally feel is not far from the truth) merely demonstrates what happens when student politics is applied to the real world.
Kawasaki XP1 (no not a motorbike), what price we build it under license in 5 years time? The politics (UN not national-well maybe) would be immense but you have to start somewhere. A snip at $114m each.