UK defence minister outlines MoD's imminent acquisition reform strategy

UK defence minister Lord Drayson has outlined to Jane's the themes of the Ministry of Defence's (MoD's) imminent strategy for acquisition reform.

Lord Drayson, minister for strategic defence acquisition reform, said on 26 January that the strategy will establish a new decision framework for procurement. The framework will be based on a new 10-year 'planning horizon', which will draw on regular strategic defence reviews (SDRs) and yearly audits to maintain a balance between long-term planning and short-term priorities.

"It's a recognition that the decision-making around equipment projects needs to be managed for the long term," said Drayson, "whereby, overall, the MoD is held accountable to the treasury for the overall equipment budget - the equipment plan - over a 10-year period."

He added that the new structure would enable the MoD to "flex" programme decisions within a broad, 10-year "portfolio".