Book Description

Since 2003, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has changed its arrangements for providing logistics support for its Harrier and Tornado fast jet aircraft by rationalising the activity and location of its maintenance and repair services. The NAO report finds that these changes have reduced costs by a cumulative saving of £1.4 billion, and although availability of the aircraft temporarily declined during the transition period, availability targets for these fast jet aircraft are now being met. The MoD has applied new techniques, including introducing pulse lines, similar to a production line used in the motor car industry, which has led to improved productivity with fewer man-hours and less workspace and spares holdings. The MoD has also entered into new partnerships with industry which are managed by teams made up of contractors and military personnel situated at main RAF bases. The new arrangements are based on industry making available a specified number of aircraft or engines, rather than on the number of repairs they carry out or the number of spare parts they provide. The report identifies two significant risks that still remain, relating to: the provision of sufficient trained personnel to man the pulse lines for both jets; and the supply chain to ensure the timely supply of spare parts for both types of aircraft.