Whithall Growth/Sloth
The purpose of government departments is often perceived as being in the name.
The Ministry of Defence would appear to be a service to procure the best items for securing
the defence of our country. The only attacks on our country have been terrorist for which
we have little other than intelligence gathering to defeat the problem. ( Post Falklands)
The main purpose of the MOD and indeed any other civil service departments is self preservation and expansion.
If targets are met there becomes less chance of expansion and consequently promotion.
The longer contracts are stretched, the more chance of maintaining the status quo to
ensure a smooth passage to retirement for the incumbents.
Knighthoods and all manner of "gongs" are liberally distributed to the wasters of time and assets. I do not begrudge them the accepted accolades of their chosen living...but..
I do begrudge the lives lost through the slow grind of the system.
I do begrudge the money squandered without the forethought of a good alternative.
We should have the best equipment for fighting for the security of the rest of the world.
A complete overhaul of the decision making is required for targets to be met.
The "Yes Minister" attitude should ensure that this never happens of course.