Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 101
101
Accepted
Chinook procurement delays and cost increases threaten critical Special Forces capabilities
Conclusion
A further example was presented at our sessions with the Secretary of State and senior MOD officials, when we questioned the utility of a contract to procure the Chinook CH-47. The project had already been delayed and (as a result of that delay and inflationary pressures) had increased in cost.214 However, we also heard that 14 of the 51 Chinooks would be the Extended Range variant and the military advice was that without them, Special Forces would be “unable to prosecute the targets we need to against the adversarial threat. If we wish to prosecute the targets against Government policy today, … operational judgment is that you need that capability.”215 The Permanent Secretary explained that: There was concern in the summer about cost growth in the programme, and how that could be afforded and what the impact would be on other related capabilities, including, conceivably, other helicopter projects. That has a question around whether this is the best deal that we can get, and if it is the best deal that we can get, do we want to carry on with it? As the 210 Q37 211 Q148 212 Q433 213 Q435 214 Oral evidence taken on 12 December 2023, HC (2023–24) 54, Q75 215 Oral evidence taken on 15 November 2023, HC (2023–24) 52, Q21 Ready for War? 41 General said, if we do not carry on with it in the way that we are currently planning, there will be an impact on the range of operations that our armed forces are able to prosecute.216
Government Response Summary
The government has introduced a new Integrated Procurement Model to address issues of over-complex, over-budget, and delayed programmes by ensuring earlier expert assurance and empowering subject matter experts.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
This is highlighted in the new Integrated Procurement Model–a system that will see earlier expert assurance of future military programmes to ensure they will deliver for UK forces on the frontline. The reforms will look to avoid previous challenges where programmes have been over-complex, over-budget, and over time. The reforms will see greater empowerment of subject matter experts across the defence enterprise including Dstl scientists, government export leads, finance experts and industry partners to challenge and shape proposals before they receive the go-ahead. Driving pace is key to the overall reforms and the concept of ‘spiral’ development will be at the forefront as new programmes are initiated, avoiding capabilities that are not adaptable to the changing environment or are overly complex and too bespoke to export. The department is reforming the defence acquisition system to address the challenges identified in this report and in the Defence Sub-Committee’s 2023 report on Defence Equipment and Support. Details of the new Integrated Procurement Model were set out in an oral statement by the Minister for Defence Procurement on 28 February 2024 and a supporting document is available at 20240228_Integrated_Procurement_Model (publishing.service.gov.uk).