Agreed, another problem is that the politicians are too scared to tackle the real money pits like welfare and the NHS so defence gets picked on. However the MoD doesn’t help it’s cause with fiascos like FRES, MRA4 and the CVF contract, were it bringing projects in more or less on time and budget then it could be in a better position to resist pressure for cuts.
Frankly with all the talk of MRA4 and CVF FRES gets missed by the press. Which angers me as the program is an utter mess and a fine example of the services gold plating something that should be simple – in this case the army.
FRES should be simple! The Warrior IFV are worn out, the FV432 are obsolete and worn out and the Saxon are probably not needed any more as it was a battlefield taxi for the BAOR and useful in Northern Ireland. A number of manufacturers around the world produce designs that are proven to work off the shelf and just require the correct radio fit. All the MOD and army needed to do is pick something that doesn’t have inferior performance then what is already in service and ensure some offset! It doesn’t need to have massive capability improvements off the shelf, just work and have the capability to bolt on upgrades in the future which usually means the engine and transmission should handle more then the base requirement….oh and the water boiler pot that all British armoured vehicles have and the tankies couldn’t live without!
Instead they kick off all sorts of blue sky thinking armoured vehicle of the future projects, then state they will get something off the shelf but it must be Redesigned to meet army needs. In other words complicate a process that should of been quick and easy. In the meantime the tankies have been forced to operate knackered AFV or a mishmash of illconcieved UOR procured vehicles!
A RIGHT ROYAL BRITISH PROCUREMENT FIASCO!
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