Select committee: Defence Committee
Recommendation 4
Fifth report: Obsolescent and outgunned: the British Army’s armoured vehicle capability
Published 14 Mar 2021
Paragraph 25
Addressed to Ministry of Defence
Defence Committee Progress in delivering the British Army’s armoured vehicle capability All items in this report Report on parliament.uk ↗ Inquiry on parliament.uk ↗
Recommendation (the committee's words)
We are concerned that the Ministry of Defence, and in particular Defence Equipment and Support may not have sufficient technically qualified staff and capacity to manage effectively the multiple armoured vehicle procurement and upgrade programmes that are currently underway. Given both the large amounts of taxpayer’s money at stake and the importance of such programmes for our war fighting capability should deterrence fail, this appalling situation has now become completely unacceptable and must be rapidly reformed, including, if necessary, by senior management changes at DE & S Headquarters at Abbey Wood.
From: Defence Committee, Fifth report: Obsolescent and outgunned: the British Army’s armoured vehicle capability (HC 659), paragraph 25, 14 March 2021
Government response
The government responded to the whole report on 21 May 2021 (deadline 14 May 2021).
Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.The government largely sets out reforms and programme plans in response, noting criticisms of past acquisition, while disagreeing with some points, including that the 40mm weapon system contributed to Ajax delays.
- On past procurement failings, the Department "notes the Committee's comments and acknowledges that defence acquisition has faced challenges in the past", and points to reforms including a three step approvals process.
- On Boxer, it "agrees with the Committee on the desirability of acceleration" and is "intending to accelerate and enhance the programme", to deliver full operational capability by 2030.
- On Challenger 2, it says the Life Extension Project offers better value for money than off-the-shelf alternatives, and that an auto-loader was "considered and dismissed early" on capability and technical feasibility grounds.
- On the Warrior upgrade, it states that a decision "has now been taken as part of the Integrated Review to no longer upgrade Warrior".