2.17 Military needs change in response to the external security environment. This makes it difficult for the Department to manage its investment in infrastructure and equipment for core flying training as the number of aircrew it needs can change frequently. The training system also takes time to respond due to the length of time it takes to train aircrew.
2.18 The Department expected an external provider to give it extra flexibility to minimise the impact of any changes needed. It also contracted Ascent to implement the new core training incrementally. That would give the Department flexibility to make investment decisions to meet future needs when training was needed, rather than setting everything initially. Several events have affected the Department's original assumptions about how its contract with Ascent would work. They have also affected the Department's ability to get the benefits of the new core training.