Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Paragraph: 18
Even in the sorry recent history of the Army’s attempts to procure Armoured Fighting Vehicles,...
Conclusion
Even in the sorry recent history of the Army’s attempts to procure Armoured Fighting Vehicles, MRAV—now Boxer—stands out as a stark example of how shifting priorities and indecision about requirements lead to increased costs and failure to deliver new capabilities.
Paragraph Reference:
18
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
By way of background, the broad and demanding requirement of Future Rapid Effects System (FRES), that included Multi-Role Armoured Vehicle (MRAV), could not easily be met. In addition, other factors including complex commercial arrangements, significant planning round savings, changing global threats and evolving requirements all played a part in driving delay in the decision-making process, and impacted upon timely delivery of new capabilities. However, many of the 2011 NAO “cost effective delivery of an armoured vehicle capability” observations and recommendations have been implemented in the Army’s delivery approach including trading requirements, pursuing off the shelf solutions with growth potential and longer-term incremental acquisition. It is worth noting that Boxer is now on contract with a more agile off the shelf commercial approach. It has a more realistic performance, cost and time requirement and is based on existing and proven vehicles and enabling technologies. Whilst the UK did stop its MRAV programme, its earlier participation in the Boxer Programme has provided retained rights and benefits in rejoining it. The MOD acquisition system has also evolved significantly in the past decade with various initiatives across the Army, DE&S and the MOD which are supporting improved approaches. The Army Operating Model has embraced Programme, Portfolio and Project Management as a professional business approach over the last 5 years creating a more robust and disciplined approach across requirement setting, delivery management and governance. DE&S transformation has delivered stronger functional management and project controls in its delivery and a more disciplined business relationship with Front Line Commands, whilst its commercial and improved market engagement has, for example, accelerated the procurement of Boxer saving time and resource and providing a stronger understanding of products that best meet the requirement. The Army has also contributed to the MOD’s acquisition and approvals transformation initiative with several pathfinders and exemplar approaches applying previous lessons to future approaches.