MoD’s latest procurement plan still ‘a mess’

Executives from some of the UK’s biggest outsourcing groups have said government attempts to bring in private sector experts to help run the £14bn weapons procurement programme are a “mess” that risk costing the taxpayer more than they save.

An overhaul of the equipment and support arm of the Ministry of Defence, which began after previous plans for part-privatisation collapsed, reaches the next stage today, as the department issues tender notices for some of the world’s biggest contractors, including KBR, Bechtel and Atkins.

But those hoping to win contracts warn the new plans are too complicated because government officials have decided to split the MoD’s weapons-buying into four, with one arm for each of the three forces – army, navy and air force – and “joint command” for cross-force projects.

Read more