link : Commons Committee Sees Multiple Risks for UK Nuclear Deterrent
Commons Committee Sees Multiple Risks for UK Nuclear Deterrent
Over the next 10 years, it faces significant pressures to provide the network of programmes, equipment and people, often termed the 'Nuclear Enterprise', necessary to provide this continuous at sea deterrent.
At a time when, across the Enterprise, major organisational and governance changes have still to take full effect, the Department needs to bridge a £2.9 billion affordability gap, ensure it fills identified skills gaps, sustain its supply chain, and make important decisions on significant, high-profile projects.
These include infrastructure upgrades and the defueling and dismantling of the 20 submarines held by the UK.
If these complex interdependencies are not managed, alongside the many contractual relationships on which the Enterprise depends, the Department's ability to provide the continuous at sea deterrent will be put at risk.
Chair's comment
Comment from Committee Chair, Meg Hillier MP: "The pressure bearing down on the Ministry of Defence have been laid bare by my Committee this year.
“In January we reported on the challenges the MoD faces in delivering Carrier Strike – a hugely complex, costly programme intended to be at the heart of the national defence for years to come.
“In May we highlighted concerns that the MoD could find itself more than £20 billion short of the funding required to buy all the equipment it says it needs.
“Last week we recommended action to address the MoD's 'make do and mend' approach to staffing its defence commitments in the face of significant skills shortages in critical trades.
“There are ongoing concerns about the MoD's management of its estate and the sometimes-woeful standard of accommodation provided for Forces personnel.
“These challenges, taken with the cost, complexity and risks to delivery of the Nuclear Enterprise, give rise to serious questions about the MoD's ability to meet its national security commitments.
“In the past there has been significant slippage across Enterprise programmes. The MoD must now bridge an affordability gap running to nearly £3 billion, fill critical skill gaps and ensure its supply chain is maintained effectively – all at a time of significant uncertainty in international politics and trade.
“I am particularly concerned that the infrastructure available to support the Enterprise is not fit for purpose. The UK has 20 submarines awaiting disposal, nine of which contain fuel.
“The MoD admits that while it has previously put off dismantling submarines on grounds of cost, this is no longer acceptable on grounds of safety and reputation.
“The MoD needs to get on top of this quickly and, in general terms, be more open about progress being made with management and delivery of the submarine-based deterrent.
“It must ensure Parliament has the detailed information it needs to make informed and meaningful judgements."
Click here for the full report (21 PDF pages) on the UK Parliament website.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: In its daily blog post, the UK Ministry of Defence issued the following comment on the committee’s report:
“Our nuclear programmes are some of the most complex engineering projects ever undertaken by the UK defence industry. They provide the most powerful submarines in our history and support thousands of British jobs.
“We are committed to delivering these nuclear programmes on time and within budget and will carefully consider the recommendations in this report to ensure this remains the case.
“We continue to press ahead with our dismantling projects. Work is underway to enhance our infrastructure so our programmes continue to run at the highest standards.”
As usual, MoD ignores the issues and questions raised, and simply makes a pretty meaningless statement of its general intentions.”)
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