Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • NAO report identifies MoD defence capabilities delivery challenges

Defence

NAO report identifies MoD defence capabilities delivery challenges

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is struggling to deliver key parts of the UK’s planned defence capabilities programme, according to a recently published National Audit Office (NAO) report, Defence capabilities – delivering what was promised.


Image copyright Shutterstock

New military capabilities – the combination of equipment, trained personnel, infrastructure and information needed to meet a specific requirement of the Armed Forces – are pivotal to delivering the UK’s defence policy.

These capabilities cover major projects such as offshore patrol vessels, fighter aircraft, drones and battlefield communication systems. The estimated total procurement cost of the 32 most significant defence projects and programmes is £196.2 billion. To deliver such capabilities, the MoD employs around 20,000 staff.

Advertisement
ODU RT

The NAO finds that projects are not being consistently delivered to the expected standard or on time. At a time of fast-paced technological developments and global change, it is essential that the MoD can make swift and full use of the capabilities it needs as planned. Failure to deliver them on time is likely to undermine the MoD’s ability to carry out its key tasks, and lead to overextended use of existing assets, and additional costs.

Gareth Davies, head of the NAO, said: “It is essential that the MoD improves the way it introduces important new defence capabilities into service. This includes ensuring that pressure to be seen to deliver quickly does not lead to it accepting incomplete projects, and making decisions on the basis of incomplete reporting.”

Ten of the MoD’s 32 most significant projects and programmes either require urgent action to get back on track, or already cannot be delivered on time. Whereas, five of the 32 are currently likely to be delivered on schedule. These projects and programmes are forecast to be on average more than two years late by the time they are declared as fully operational.

A persistent ongoing problem the MoD faces is equipment delivered either late or faulty by its suppliers. Nearly a third of the 32 most significant projects report serious issues with suppliers. In some cases, poor performance has persisted over a number of years.

MoD project and delivery teams are under-resourced and lack essential skills, contributing to delays in delivery. Six of the 32 projects face shortfalls of more than 20% in their programme teams. The report also highlights shortages of key staff and how some teams are reliant on consultancy support. The MoD also does not have the information it needs to hold teams to account and make strategic decisions.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle

The NAO has also identified examples where poorly defined delivery ‘milestones’ have meant the MoD has been unclear what has actually been achieved. Projects can be declared ‘fully operational’ even if they are not or if testing is incomplete. In some cases, this has affected MoD’s ability to use equipment in the way intended.

In response to these challenges, the MoD is introducing a new approach to procurement, designed to speed up delivery, and allow it to flexibly upgrade equipment in response to technological change. For this to successfully tackle the issues highlighted in the report, the NAO emphasises that key decision makers must have an accurate and current understanding of the level of capability that has been delivered.


 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
Airframe Designs appoints Chris Fleet as Operations Director

Aerospace Defence Security Space

Airframe Designs appoints Chris Fleet as Operations Director

30 October 2025

Airframe Designs has promoted Chris Fleet to a newly created Operations Director role as part of its plans to expand its specialist engineering and manufacturing services to the global aviation, defence and space sectors.

ALL.SPACE and Aalyria enter strategic partnership

Defence Space

ALL.SPACE and Aalyria enter strategic partnership

30 October 2025

ALL.SPACE has formed a strategic partnership with Aalyria to advance autonomous, fully interoperable communications across multiple domains, specifically designed for defence scenarios where connectivity must survive beyond legacy single link satcom solutions.

Solus Power secures MoD contract to develop Kratos

Defence

Solus Power secures MoD contract to develop Kratos

30 October 2025

Solus Power has secured a contract with the Ministry of Defence’s Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA) to further develop its novel dual use battery technology, Kratos.

Ploughshare and Leonardo partner to advance defence IP

Defence

Ploughshare and Leonardo partner to advance defence IP

30 October 2025

Ploughshare has unveiled a new suite of services designed to help UK companies identify and unlock high-potential dual-use technologies and is collaborating with Leonardo to accelerate the commercialisation of their defence IP.

Advertisement
Security & Policing Rectangle
Teledyne expands Thermal by FLIR collaboration with Gremsy

Defence Security

Teledyne expands Thermal by FLIR collaboration with Gremsy

29 October 2025

Teledyne FLIR OEM has announced its latest Thermal by FLIR collaboration with Gremsy, a provider of professional unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) payload and gimbal solutions.

DASA opens Cycle 5 of Defence Innovation Loans

Defence Security

DASA opens Cycle 5 of Defence Innovation Loans

29 October 2025

The UKDI-Defence and Security Accelerator (DASA), supported by Innovate UK Loans Ltd (Innovate UK), has opened Cycle 5 of Defence Innovation Loans with enhanced support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) developing defence solutions.

Advertisement
ODU RT