There is no story here. The contract was put out and KCL, the current academic provider, was replaced by Cranfield/Portsmouth. No big deal; although, I think Portsmouth re on a very steep curve!
Actually, it's a rather important story. KCL are world renowned and have a specialist department in War Studies with some world experts working there. They are one of the best universities in the country, probably in Europe and don't do too badly in a global context. According to the complete University Guide, Portsmouth ranks 77th and at its highest managed to make mid-50s in the UK rankings.
Whereas KCL brought international expertise in its War Studies department, a quick look at the Portsmouth website suggests it has limited if any experience in this area, although they do offer courses in Leadership. But funny old thing, isn't that what IOT was designed to provide in itself? I really can't see what Portsmouth will bring to enhance the RAF's academic or leadership package, or for that matter reputation.
But then again, a quick look across many of the universities partnering the RAF these days shows them to be some of the more modern, or shall I say distinctly average institutions (MBA from Stafford anyone?). Maybe it is an indication of how far the RAF has fallen in recent years that the top flight institutions don't see that partnering up with Defence will do anything for their own prestige. Frankly this just looks like another way of saving money regardless of the output and no doubt there will be a hard sell as both institutions try to rope cadets into forking out for some formal qualification for just a few extra modules work.