2.9 Where comparable data are available, nine of the programmes we examined had experienced delays of between three and 47 months in reaching the main investment decision point against early forecasts. Delays in the programmes we examined were more pronounced after award of contract, where the Department faces cumulative forecast net delays to entry into service of 254 months across 13 of the programmes we examined (Figure 5). A number of these programmes will incur further delays as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2.10 Delays may be attributable to the Department, its suppliers, or a combination of both (see Figure 6 in Part Three, on pages 34 to 38). For example:
• on A400M, the supplier's delivery of aircraft to the partner countries has been severely delayed, including a six-year delay to UK entry into service;
• in the case of the Skynet 6 satellite, the Department delayed this programme by three years as a savings measure. As a result, the Department had to develop a sub-project within the Skynet programme to maintain existing Skynet 5 capability during the three-year delay until the introduction of Skynet 6;
• on the Type 26 frigates, joint efforts by the Department and supplier to make them affordable (paragraph 2.8) led to delays of more than three years in approval to manufacture; and
• on the Marshall air traffic management system, delays have resulted from various factors including the supplier's and Department's under-estimation of the technical complexities, and programme and contract management demands of the work.