While this thread discusses a possible future MPA, there is a deafening silence on the question of whether a replacement Replacement Maritime Patrol Aircraft (!)
would actually be managed any better, given the nature of the MAJOR failures noted by the audit report which directly preceded cancellation of N2000/RMPA/MRA4.
If you study the MAJORs, and even the MINORS (some of which are actually showstoppers, so I would query the definitions used), every single one of them was identified and notified on the 1990s.
Some use more recent terminology, but all have direct links to mandated policies from the 90s and beyond. Over 12 years later, these remained outstanding. There is no doubt whatsoever why MRA4 was cancelled.
The point here is that the MAA are not addressing the root failures, especially the elephant in the room that is the consistent ruling that most of these mandated regulations can be regarded as OPTIONAL, if their implementation affects Time or Cost.
In MoD(PE) and then DPA, this ruling was made by Director General Air Systems 2 / Executive Director 1,
who just happened to be the Nimrod (and Chinook) 2 Star, and the predecessor of the 2 Star mentioned in the report. To this day, his rulings are vigourously upheld and endorsed by his successors, including the MAA.
Also, in writing, by the last six Ministers for the Armed Forces and the current Head of the Civil Service.
