i fear there maybe some nasty shocks in store when the goco turns around and says "you didn't ask for that - send more cash". there is surely a real risk that either current overruns/spends will look trivial, or it will result in kit that is not fit for purpose.
You mean just like we have now ? From the publics point of view, its exectly how the UK MOD has behaved for the last 20 years. Vast sums of money wasted by ineffective procurement at all stages and absolutely no consequneces and frankly, no interest in being the slightest bit efficient or effective.
Thats exactly what we have but there are no consequences for those in the current process when abject failures cause price and time overruns.
At least under a go-co, some folks could be sacked and the system would gradually learn that actions have consequences. I know the MOD isn't Tesco, but a lot could be learned about effective supply chain management, and getting the right thing defined at the outset.