Our troops in Afghanistan do not have enough helicopters. Indeed, one almost wonders if they lack sufficient helicopters for airborne operations (hence, perhaps, recent American reinforcements?) Yet, at the same time, the government is actually spending £Billions on helicopters. So, what is going on?
Imagine if there was only one chain of restaurants in the town where you live. It is a fair bet that you - and everyone else - would face long delays, find less choice, and pay over the odds. That, put simply, is how we run defence procurement; in politician-speak, it is called the "Defence Industrial Strategy".
Instead of shopping around for what is best, the MoD tends to buy off a few privileged suppliers. And guess what? The orders usually arrive late, are overpriced, and delivered the way it suits the contractor.
Want proof? Consider the way the MoD awarded a £1 billion contract to one lucky company to build the tailor-made Future Lynx. At £14 Million per helicopter, that is more than twice the cost of some of the better "off-the-shelf" alternatives. Worse, these Future Lynx will not be ready to ferry British troops around until 2013 - which is a long time to wait if you need a helicopter in Helmand in a hurry.
Do you want to know why the MoD made the decision it did? Me too. Unfortunately, those senior officials at the MoD who decide these things refuse to answer the Parliamentary questions I've put to them.
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