Military procurement

One particular section in the linked article from Mark's previous post - Hatchet Job - caught my eye.

In his appearance before the Senate's defence committee in October, Mr. Williams also argued for the creation of a separate agency to handle military procurement.

Currently, the process involves the Defence Department setting the requirements for its equipment needs and then Public Works does the purchasing.

Under Mr. Williams' plan, the head of the new procurement agency would not have connections to the military, but would report directly to the minister of national defence. The agency would produce regular reports, similar to those done in the U.S. and Britain, outlining how equipment projects are proceeding. If there are delays, it would provide an explanation. The procurement process would also be streamlined and times reduced since overlap and duplication between Defence and Public Works would be eliminated.

A former bureaucrat's answer to speeding up Defence procurement while providing greater civilian oversight? - Create another bureaucracy! Just priceless. True believers click here.

As far as the bureaucracy at DND itself, I think the following quote from a Conference of Defence Associations paper best reflects my general thoughts (the paper is from 2000 but in my opinion, is no less valid today) .

The integration of the Department of Defence and the Canadian Forces in effect created two separate bureaucratic entities, one civilian and one military, working within the same ministry. According to General Theriault integration had the benefit of creating one political authority. However, it also created an increasingly over-sized bureaucratic structure and culture that have led to a blurring of responsibility and accountability, which in turn generated tension and led to a growth of informal power accruing to established bureaucracies. Most importantly, Theriault claims, is that the organization has thwarted the evolution of a necessary, disciplined, unified military staff system.

There are many valid questions to be examined over military procurement in general and the specific cases being dealt with today, but lets not forget why we're where we are now. The combined indifference of our political parties and the general public left the CF in a sad state of disrepair. Long before Red Green or Tim Taylor entered popular culture, gun tape seemed to be the only thing holding the CF together.

Hopefully at least one contract gets signed this week.