Report on the basis for decision prepared by the Danish Ministry of Defence concerning procurement of 27 F-35 combat aircraft

11-10-2017

Report no. 2/2017

The purpose of the study is to assess whether the Ministry of Defence has elaborated an adequate basis for the decision to procure 27 F-35 combat aircraft. The report answers the following questions:   

  • Has the Ministry of Defence carried out an adequate evaluation of whether the procurement of 27 F-35 combat aircraft will meet the level of ambition set out for the Danish combat aircraft?
  • Has the Ministry of Defence’s applied an appropriate model for the analysis of the life-cycle costs of procuring 27 F-35 combat aircraft? 

It is Rigsrevisionen’s assessment that generally the basis for decision is founded on thoroughly conducted analyses and calculations. However, the study shows that the Ministry of Defence has neither provided evidence of some of the significant assumptions underlying the calculations nor reflected the uncertainty associated with the assumptions. It is Rigsrevisionen’s assessment that this will increase the risk beyond what is indicated in the basis for decision that, the Danish Defence will be unable to perform all the agreed tasks with the 27 F-35 combat aircraft.

Read the report (PDF)