Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 24
24
Accepted
Intensive use of ageing equipment creates maintenance backlog, reducing Armed Forces capacity.
Conclusion
In the meantime, the intensive use of existing equipment is contributing to a maintenance backlog that will take more time and money to address, leaving the UK’s Armed Forces having to make do with fewer pieces of ageing equipment nearing the end of their in-service lives.75 For example, there is uncertainty about whether two Type 23 frigates that have recently gone into refit will return to active service.76 If they do not, this 65 Q 111 66 C&AG’s Report, para 2.12, 2.13 67 Q 127 68 C&AG’s Report, para 2.13 69 Q 108 70 Q 112; C&AG’s Report, para 2.5 71 Qq 108, 112 72 Q 42 73 Defence Procurement Minister oral statement on the Integrated Procurement Model – 28 February 2024 – GOV. UK (www.gov.uk) 74 Qq 33, 34, 84 75 Qq 46, 114 76 Q 35 MoD Equipment Plan 2023–2033 15 would further curtail the Royal Navy’s already limited capacity to provide escorts.77 The Type 23 class is coming to the end of its in-service life, and the cost of refitting them has increased from £23 million to £100 million because their age means that the necessary work is now much more extensive and takes almost twice as long to complete.78 Reliance on allies
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's implied concern regarding equipment readiness and responds by implementing a new Integrated Procurement Model from April 2024, designed to accelerate the delivery of military capability.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
5.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: December 2024 5.2 The Integrated Procurement Model was announced to Parliament on 28 February 2024 . The new model is designed to drive increased pace in delivery of military capability to UK forces on the front line. 5.3 Implementation begins from April 2024 with initial integration services provided by UK Strategic Command’s Integration Design Authority; new direction and guidance to support Spiral development; and decisions on new major programmes being informed by earlier, independent advice from experts that will inform the choices and trade-offs. Implementation will continue through 2024-2025. 5.4 In line with the Defence Command Paper 2023 ambition to drive pace in acquisition, the department will monitor the increase in pace of delivery and provide updates as appropriate.