Indeed good news that funding is now available.
Judging by A&C's comments about the contractors and random bloke's comments about the complexity of the processes and hoops to be jumped through and the shortage of capability within our shrunken forces it sounds as if -
(a) things won't be up and running swiftly - a matter which doesn't seem to concern the folk in charge much - and
(b) there is a strong possibility that the 'new' system will not be significantly improved over the previous set up. If the existing contractor is advertising for folk at lowest possible rates already, that doesn't augur well. Are any lessons being learned?
Hmm - none of this is new anyway. Didn't the RAF have to scrap a number of Tornado F Mk2s which were being overhauled or modified by a civilian contractor? I seem to recall they dismantled part of the structure using a very crude drilling out process, which caused enough damage to be beyond economic repair. Luckily the machines were an interim type so the impact wasn't disastrous, but surely that emphasised the need for good oversight . My recollection is that the company involved wasn't viewed as a dubious or fly-by-night one either. Mostly working outside their expertise and 'comfort zone'. Too long ago for the current management folk to recall?