UK Strategic Defence Review 2020 - get your bids in now ladies & gents
What "these Europeans" are NOT doing however, is disbanding squadrons, retiring entire fleets without replacement, cutting capabilities, closing stations and retiring entire classes of weapon systems with replacements slated for the 2030's, which is exactly what the Tories are doing right now!
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/b...-mps-c8lsw2pg8
Britain is falling behind in global arms race, say MPs
….Wasteful procurement and a culture of cover-up in the Ministry of Defence has undermined national security, a report by a cross-party group of MPs has found.
The public accounts committee said that the Russian invasion of Ukraine meant there was now an acute need for the department to improve its performance as it questioned government plans for a £16.5 billion increase in defence spending until 2024-25…..
The committee questioned why only 0.4 per cent of the MoD’s budget would be spent on research and development in the second half of the decade and pointed to gaps in ministers’ plans for future air combat.
The committee said that the RAF would have 30 fewer combat aircraft by 2025 because of the decision to retire Typhoons early. Since 2015, the government has spent £701 million developing radar for Typhoons that will not enter service until 2030, it said….
Ministry of Defence Equipment Plan 2021–31
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5802/cmselect/cmpubacc/1164/report.html
Britain is falling behind in global arms race, say MPs
….Wasteful procurement and a culture of cover-up in the Ministry of Defence has undermined national security, a report by a cross-party group of MPs has found.
The public accounts committee said that the Russian invasion of Ukraine meant there was now an acute need for the department to improve its performance as it questioned government plans for a £16.5 billion increase in defence spending until 2024-25…..
The committee questioned why only 0.4 per cent of the MoD’s budget would be spent on research and development in the second half of the decade and pointed to gaps in ministers’ plans for future air combat.
The committee said that the RAF would have 30 fewer combat aircraft by 2025 because of the decision to retire Typhoons early. Since 2015, the government has spent £701 million developing radar for Typhoons that will not enter service until 2030, it said….
Ministry of Defence Equipment Plan 2021–31
https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm5802/cmselect/cmpubacc/1164/report.html
Thread Starter
Well I see that they just shelled out £ 2Bn for the "Dreadnaught" programme - which news hardly rippled the waters
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
https://rusi.org/explore-our-researc...ajax-programme
RUSI - Lessons From the Ajax Programme
“If the Ajax vehicle were to be cancelled, it would be an even bigger financial disaster than the AEW Nimrod, on which over £1 billion had been spent at cancellation point (around £3.2 billion at today’s prices).64 So far, the MoD has paid GDUK £3.2 billion against the 2014 contract worth £5.5 billion.
Given the four areas that are currently seen as potential sources of vibration and noise, their re-engineering remedies – if they exist – will certainly involve GD in major expense and losses. If they cannot be fixed, GD could pursue the MoD for damages if the company could show it had not legally breached the terms of the contract. However, the MoD could claim at least some of its money back and pursue liquidated damages.
Only lawyers will smile at these possibilities.”…
RUSI - Lessons From the Ajax Programme
“If the Ajax vehicle were to be cancelled, it would be an even bigger financial disaster than the AEW Nimrod, on which over £1 billion had been spent at cancellation point (around £3.2 billion at today’s prices).64 So far, the MoD has paid GDUK £3.2 billion against the 2014 contract worth £5.5 billion.
Given the four areas that are currently seen as potential sources of vibration and noise, their re-engineering remedies – if they exist – will certainly involve GD in major expense and losses. If they cannot be fixed, GD could pursue the MoD for damages if the company could show it had not legally breached the terms of the contract. However, the MoD could claim at least some of its money back and pursue liquidated damages.
Only lawyers will smile at these possibilities.”…
[QUOTE
“If the Ajax vehicle were to be cancelled, it would be an even bigger financial disaster than the AEW Nimrod, on which over £1 billion had been spent at cancellation point (around £3.2 billion at today’s prices).[/QUOTE]
Am I the only one who finds it strange that RUSI uses the AEW Nimrod as an example, when there are far worse? IIRC MRA4 was well over £4 billions.
“If the Ajax vehicle were to be cancelled, it would be an even bigger financial disaster than the AEW Nimrod, on which over £1 billion had been spent at cancellation point (around £3.2 billion at today’s prices).[/QUOTE]
Am I the only one who finds it strange that RUSI uses the AEW Nimrod as an example, when there are far worse? IIRC MRA4 was well over £4 billions.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
https://rusi.org/explore-our-researc...raf-fleet-size
RUSI: US Air Force Request for Funds to Buy E-7 Should Prompt a Rethink on RAF Fleet Size
RUSI: US Air Force Request for Funds to Buy E-7 Should Prompt a Rethink on RAF Fleet Size
Thread Starter
"Am I the only one who finds it strange that RUSI uses the AEW Nimrod as an example, when there are far worse? IIRC MRA4 was well over £4 billions"
I suspect they've got the two mixed up TBH
I suspect they've got the two mixed up TBH
Thread Starter
There was someone on Radio4 yesterday saying how odd it is that the UK Govt seem happy to announce they are rearming half of Central/Eastern Europe but there is no announcement of spending more on UK forces.
. = 0
On going discussion on Rotorheads following released of NMH Contract Notice/ invitaion to complete DPQQ.
'New Medium Helicopters (NMH) intends to rationalise its existing multiple rotary wing requirements into one platform-type, maximising commonality in order to improve efficiency and operational flexibility. NMH will provide a common medium lift multi-role helicopter, fitted for, but not with, specialist Mission Role Equipment (MRE) and able to operate in all environments in support of defence tasks.''The high-level requirement for this procurement consists of:
i. A range of up to 44 platforms.
ii. Design Organisation integration services for Government Furnished Assets (GFA) and Mission Role Equipment (MRE).'
...
'vi. An Initial In-Service Support Package, to include:
• Initial Provisioning Spares.
• Deployed Support Packages (DSPs).
• Ground Support Equipment and Specialist Tooling.
• Technical Publications and Aircrew Publications.
• Logistics (Spares) Management.
• Forward and Depth Maintenance.
• Design Organisation (DO) modifications and technical support.'
I may be being dense but :
i. A range of up to 44 platforms.
ii. Design Organisation integration services for Government Furnished Assets (GFA) and Mission Role Equipment (MRE).'
...
'vi. An Initial In-Service Support Package, to include:
• Initial Provisioning Spares.
• Deployed Support Packages (DSPs).
• Ground Support Equipment and Specialist Tooling.
• Technical Publications and Aircrew Publications.
• Logistics (Spares) Management.
• Forward and Depth Maintenance.
• Design Organisation (DO) modifications and technical support.'
I may be being dense but :
- Does this mean the MRE will be a separate procurement?
- Does Forward Maintenance include FOBs in hostile operational areas?
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
From Sir Humphrey…
“Reading the annual Defence Safety Authority annual report highlights some deeply challenging information on the material state of the RAF estate. At RAF Marham, home of the F 35, the condemning of the fire station means fire crews cannot meet mandated response times.”
The full report can be found here -
https://assets.publishing.service.go...nce_report.pdf
“Reading the annual Defence Safety Authority annual report highlights some deeply challenging information on the material state of the RAF estate. At RAF Marham, home of the F 35, the condemning of the fire station means fire crews cannot meet mandated response times.”
The full report can be found here -
https://assets.publishing.service.go...nce_report.pdf
The following section regarding delays to introduction of new equipment is in many ways more disturbing, not that much of it hasn't been referred to here.
(I assume the C-17 figure refers to hours per airframe as the US fleet topped 4 million hours around the time as 99 Sqn hit 150K)
Enterprise Governance
Delays to the introduction of new capabilities to succeed legacy platforms and fill emerging
capability gaps extend legacy platforms in service and prolong the risks associated with
ageing aircraft. These delays have far ranging effects on these fleets, as well as across
broader Defence capabilities, and on the need to sustain aircrew and type-engineering
training pipelines. The risks are exacerbated by incrementally increasing Out of Service
Dates (OSDs), including long delays in safety modifications for a number of platforms[50].
The increases obsolescence and supply issues, adding pressure to platform capability
delivery, with legacy decisions either requiring or not being revisited correctly[51]. This is a
direct effect of late capability decisions resulting in a requirement for ageing platforms to
continue to deliver operational output long beyond their expected, supported, lifespan
instead of slowly reducing output as they approach OSD[52]. The introduction of RA120553
and the generation of ASSC has improved the ability of the ODHs to manage Air Safety
risks, albeit there are still a number of cases where the only option remains reduction in
output. This in turn increases pressures on other air systems as the respective demand
signal increases to compensate[54].
50 Long lead times for Puma2 modifications directly related to Service Inquiry recommendations and
continued requirement for long standing Hawk T1 modifications.
51 As part of any Out of Service Date (OSD) Extension Programme there should be a Safety Assessment
Report that revisits decisions. With multiple OSD extensions some of these may be missed as with Gazelle
AH Mk1. This error resulted in a flying pause that required 2* led recovery action.
52 For example, delays in delivering the range of A400M capabilities has resulted in the extension in service
of the C130J and significant additional tasking allocation C17. Of note, the UK C17 aircraft are now the world
fleet leaders in terms of hours flown.
53 RA1205 – Air System Safety Cases
54 Gazelle AH Mk1 OSD is currently 31 Mar 2025, but with any replacement still awaiting approval, the
forecast Full Operating Capabilty of the replacement in Q3 2024 is unlikely to be met. The complex
relationship in this example, which involves Special Projects MultiAir Platform DT, DComd Find, Army Cap, 1
Flying Training School, UK Military Flying Training School DT and Air Cap will need careful management by
the SRO and will need close MAA oversight. There is also a desire to maintain operational output by
continuing Gazelle task-lines, potentially across 2 x UK sites and in Canada, during the delivery of the new
capability, which presents an increased risk above that of extending the OSD further.
(I assume the C-17 figure refers to hours per airframe as the US fleet topped 4 million hours around the time as 99 Sqn hit 150K)
Enterprise Governance
Delays to the introduction of new capabilities to succeed legacy platforms and fill emerging
capability gaps extend legacy platforms in service and prolong the risks associated with
ageing aircraft. These delays have far ranging effects on these fleets, as well as across
broader Defence capabilities, and on the need to sustain aircrew and type-engineering
training pipelines. The risks are exacerbated by incrementally increasing Out of Service
Dates (OSDs), including long delays in safety modifications for a number of platforms[50].
The increases obsolescence and supply issues, adding pressure to platform capability
delivery, with legacy decisions either requiring or not being revisited correctly[51]. This is a
direct effect of late capability decisions resulting in a requirement for ageing platforms to
continue to deliver operational output long beyond their expected, supported, lifespan
instead of slowly reducing output as they approach OSD[52]. The introduction of RA120553
and the generation of ASSC has improved the ability of the ODHs to manage Air Safety
risks, albeit there are still a number of cases where the only option remains reduction in
output. This in turn increases pressures on other air systems as the respective demand
signal increases to compensate[54].
50 Long lead times for Puma2 modifications directly related to Service Inquiry recommendations and
continued requirement for long standing Hawk T1 modifications.
51 As part of any Out of Service Date (OSD) Extension Programme there should be a Safety Assessment
Report that revisits decisions. With multiple OSD extensions some of these may be missed as with Gazelle
AH Mk1. This error resulted in a flying pause that required 2* led recovery action.
52 For example, delays in delivering the range of A400M capabilities has resulted in the extension in service
of the C130J and significant additional tasking allocation C17. Of note, the UK C17 aircraft are now the world
fleet leaders in terms of hours flown.
53 RA1205 – Air System Safety Cases
54 Gazelle AH Mk1 OSD is currently 31 Mar 2025, but with any replacement still awaiting approval, the
forecast Full Operating Capabilty of the replacement in Q3 2024 is unlikely to be met. The complex
relationship in this example, which involves Special Projects MultiAir Platform DT, DComd Find, Army Cap, 1
Flying Training School, UK Military Flying Training School DT and Air Cap will need careful management by
the SRO and will need close MAA oversight. There is also a desire to maintain operational output by
continuing Gazelle task-lines, potentially across 2 x UK sites and in Canada, during the delivery of the new
capability, which presents an increased risk above that of extending the OSD further.
Last edited by SLXOwft; 27th Jun 2022 at 19:58. Reason: Addition of emoji to make facetious tone clear re sloppy statement.
I assume the C-17 figure refers to hours per airframe as the US fleet topped 4 million hours around the time as 99 Sqn hit 150K)
Thread Starter
Same old story -cut maintenance rather than face the need for more money
An Initial In-Service Support Package, to include:
• Initial Provisioning Spares.
• Deployed Support Packages (DSPs).
• Ground Support Equipment and Specialist Tooling.
• Technical Publications and Aircrew Publications.
• Logistics (Spares) Management.
• Forward and Depth Maintenance.
• Design Organisation (DO) modifications and technical support.'
• Initial Provisioning Spares.
• Deployed Support Packages (DSPs).
• Ground Support Equipment and Specialist Tooling.
• Technical Publications and Aircrew Publications.
• Logistics (Spares) Management.
• Forward and Depth Maintenance.
• Design Organisation (DO) modifications and technical support.'
Who is meant to (a) make the materiel and financial provision and get the shopping list right, and (b) do it.
(a) Service HQs, (b) DE&S.
....using Suitably Qualified and Experienced Plebs.
Many of the problems in the report arise from not having SQEP. For example, the MAA introduced RA1205. Great, they've resurrected the concept, but part of the approval scrutiny process is assurance that it can be implemented. The MAA seems to have forgotten that failure to implement is the reason they were formed in the first place.
As Asturias says:
[/QUOTE]Same old story - cut maintenance rather than face the need for more money[/QUOTE]
We no longer have our (especially) 3rd line workshops. But that's where, historically, the SQEP came from to do all these tasks. The upshot is that in many areas (Group HQ, CFS, etc.) there are highly trained (and highly paid) pilots doing jobs like this, which are actually low-level civil service roles. Is this a secondary duty for them, or has it become their primary? Either way, how can there be any job satisfaction? Which leads to retention problems... A vicious circle of its own making, which MoD is having great difficulty breaking out of.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
BREAKING:
The Defence Secretary indicated today the RN has resurrected the plan to purchase an interim anti-ship missile.
Rr Adml Paul Marshall says "negotiations in progress"
The Defence Secretary indicated today the RN has resurrected the plan to purchase an interim anti-ship missile.
Rr Adml Paul Marshall says "negotiations in progress"
Thread Starter
well they've known about the problem for long enough. harpoon was supposed to have been retired in 2018
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
Exceptional and truthful performance by Ben Wallace at Defence Committee yesterday. A pity it was so overshadowed by other events.
I wonder, as well as a new ASM and restocking NLAW, what other stocks are going to be rapidly purchased.
I wonder, as well as a new ASM and restocking NLAW, what other stocks are going to be rapidly purchased.
Interesting snippet through a bit of obfuscation was that he is urgently waiting on the RN delivering a proposal for the interim littoral support ship could well be Argus not a Bay Class due to in part to her better aviation support capacity. Of course the expected new broom at No 10 could throw all plans and calculations in the air plus the possibility of a new SoS.