The challenges of the International Linear Collider (ILC) Beam Delivery System (BDS) are reviewed and compared with the achievements in SLC and FFTB. An overview is provided of the necessary R&D for the BDS design, beam simulations and benchmarking in test facilities, especially the ATF2 facility under construction at KEK. The major issues are explored both from the beam dynamics and the technological point of view, as well as the plans foreseen and the schedule to address them
