DV
This precise point was discussed in evidence to Lord Philip, the example cited being the Chinook DECU connector problem, whereby they had to be checked every 15mins in fight. The specialist advice to Lord Philip was that this should not have been a Servicing Instruction, but a Class AA modification, requiring grounding until rectified.
The bottom line is the Committee whose job it was to assess all the factors you speak of, and make a decision as to priority “irrespective of cost, scrap or delay involved”, was disbanded by the RAF Chief Engineer in June 1993. Of course, the C-in-C can accept the risk if there is an operational imperative, but he must state this in writing and notify users. No such statement was made on Nimrod (or Chinook).
It is true that MoD is permitted a reasonable time to mitigate risks, but this refers to their legal liability and provides a defence to litigation. There are time limits laid down in formal guidance, but for the purposes of Nimrod all we have to know and understand is that the MoD(PE) 2 Star directed that Risk Management should, at most, consist of listing the risks; but under no circumstances was mitigation to be attempted. I have had many arguments with young direct entrants who have been taught this methodology, and who think RM is simply filling in the “risk” box in a piece of software. As a result of this policy, major programmes were not afforded Risk Manager posts and if anyone tried to establish a Risk Committee their colleagues were instructed not to attend. (I fully accept parts of the MoD controlled by sane senior ranks completely ignored this and did the job properly. But there comes a time when you have no money to mitigate).
He went further. His primary role as the 2 Star was “Management oversight”, requiring him to assess the top 10 risks on every programmes, every month. In the 6 or so years he was my 2 Star, not once did he assess any risks on any of my programmes. I approached him about serious risks, for example, the above friendly fire one – well, you know his reaction. Director General Air System 2 (DGAS2). Or, Didn’t Give A Shit.