The Politics and DV Engineering working group analyses current political developments in the defence sector. It provides independent facts and interpretation from the technological knowledge and experience of engineers.
The Politics and DV Engineering working group has questions and comments on the DMP-A letter published on 26 February 2021 by the Secretary of State for Defence on the replacement of night vision goggles. To our knowledge, it has not yet been considered by the House of Representatives.The comments have been prepared based on publicly available information and defence technology knowledge and experience.
Download a PDF of this commentary here.
Indicative investment amount and life cycle costs
According to the DMP-A letter, this involves an investment of 25-100 M€ for 1800 night vision goggles. That means an average price between €13,000 and €55,000 each. That's quite a spread for MOTS equipment. The figure given includes budget for investment and for training, but lifetime costs (maintenance, repair, replacement, spare parts) are not mentioned. So it is unclear whether lifetime costs lead to additional annual operating expenses.
Different models or standardise
Two types of night vision goggles will be purchased under this proposal. Brightness amplifiers and (more expensive) fusion scopes. The division between them is not indicated, nor the difference in cost. A mix of two different types may be cheaper in terms of investment, but it seems more effective in terms of maintenance and logistics to use only one model.
Maintenance in or outsourcing
The letter indicates that Defence will carry out maintenance. However, outsourcing maintenance is often cheaper and more effective precisely for MOTS equipment. Especially if there is also cooperation with other countries, as indicated in the letter. The same applies to training for users and first-line maintainers. Perhaps outsourcing maintenance and training during the service life is more cost-effective. For example, with the supplier or with the country or countries with which it is cooperating.
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The Hague, 17 August 2021
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Disclaimer: The facts and opinions given are based on open sources and on the knowledge and experience of working group members.
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Photo: Ministry of Defence
