---

Defence Systems

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much has been allocated for the acquisition programmes for FSCS and TRACER; when he expects them to be operational; and if he will make a statement. [139655]

Dr. Moonie: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 28 November 2000:

I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence on the collaborative Future Scout and Cavalry System/Tactical Reconnaissance Armoured Combat Equipment Requirement (TRACER) programme seeking information on programme cost and operational dates. These matters fall within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.

The total cost to the UK of the Feasibility and Project Definition phases of TRACER is some £131M. The budget for the remaining acquisition phases of TRACER has not yet been finalised pending the outcome of Balance of Investment studies, which are under way. As indicated in my letter dated 22 November these studies are designed to determine the most cost-effective balance of numbers and capabilities between TRACER and Unmanned Air Vehicles, in meeting the battlefield commander's critical information requirements.

The in-service date for TRACER, which is defined as one Formation Reconnaissance Squadron fully equipped and supportable on operations, is currently estimated to be October 2008.

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what current ISTAR capability and UAVs are available; what Smart Procurement guidelines have been set for the UAV acquisition project; and if he will make a statement. [139654]

Dr. Moonie: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 28 November 2000:

I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence on the current Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability and the Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) acquisition project. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.

The current ISTAR capability contributes in both the imaging and electronic analysis areas using a range of platforms across the three environments. These include the long range aircraft such as the SENTRY E-3D, tactical reconnaissance aircraft such as the Jaguar and the Royal Navy's Sea Harrier, and land-based systems such as the recently introduced ODETTE electronic support system. In the future, the Airborne Stand-Off Radar (ASTOR) platform with its synthetic aperture radar and moving target indicator capability as well as improved tactical reconnaissance systems and enhanced land and maritime electronic analysis systems, will be introduced into service. The PHOENIX system is currently the only UAV asset within the ISTAR inventory. Originally developed as a Target Acquisition and Surveillance system, PHOENIX has now completed two operational tours where it has been used as part of the overall requirements for ISTAR.

Within the context of Smart Acquisition guidelines and to optimise the overall requirements for a future ISTAR capability, a series of studies is in place aimed at identifying the most effective mix of both manned and unmanned assets. With regard to UAVs, the WATCHKEEPER project, as a part of this overall investment analysis, is seeking to establish the most cost-effective whole-life

28 Nov 2000 : Column: 493W

solutions and the optimum balance of investment in new, existing assets or a combination of the two. The UAV programme is being managed by an Integrated Project Team (IPT) bringing together the main stakeholders who have an interest in the ISTAR assets and the products they deliver. Industry has been involved from an early stage in an open and constructive relationship and has assisted in the development of the emerging requirements.

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what targets were set for MINDER Route Proving during the competitive assessment phase; what plans there are for the development of a mix of sensors for locating and neutralising anti-tank and anti-personnel mines; and if he will make a statement. [139656]

Dr. Moonie: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 28 November 2000:

I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about targets set for the MINDER Route Proving System and the development of sensors for the neutralisation of mines. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.

MINDER will be developed incrementally and each variant will have progressively more demanding targets to meet. Initially MINDER (RP) should be able to detect all basic surface laid landmines together with most buried mines. The later variants of the equipment should detect all buried landmines, and have an ability to detect off route mines.

The Competitive Assessment Phase (CAP) will identify the mix of detection sensors that MINDER will have. Research so far suggests that it is likely to be a combination of metal detectors, ground penetrating radars and infra red detectors. Explosive detection systems may also be used.

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the production of the Technology Demonstrator prototype; when is the estimated in-service date; what capabilities the close-in sensors and UWB sensors have for mine detection; and if he will make a statement. [139657]

Dr. Moonie: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Mike Hancock dated 28 November 2000:

I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the Technology Demonstrator prototype and its sensors for mine detection. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.

There are no plans to produce production versions of the DERA Technology Demonstrator prototype. The Route Proving (RP) and Reconnaissance variants of MINDER are, however, likely to utilise concepts used in the DERA prototype which will be developed and evaluated in the course of the Competitive Assessment Phase of the MINDER project. The estimated in-service date for MINDER (RP) is 2005.

There is a large range of sensors which are being considered for MINDER (RP). Close-in sensors under consideration include Ground Penetrating Radar and Metal Detectors, both of which allow the detection of buried and surface laid mines. Forward-looking senors like Ultra Wide Band radar will be able to detect surface laid mines some distance ahead and should also be able to detect buried mines.

28 Nov 2000 : Column: 494W

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total value is of Swan Hunter's and BAE Systems Marine's contracts for the (a) ALSLs and (b) Type 45 Destroyer; what the current status is of the contracted programmes; when the programmes are expected to be completed; and if he will make a statement. [139652]

Mr. Hoon: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 28 November 2000:

I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence concerning the value of contracts placed with Swan Hunter and BAE SYSTEMS Marine for the Alternative Landing Ships Logistic (ALSLs) and Type 45 Destroyer, the status of the contracted programmes and expected completion dates. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.

The value of the contracts to be placed with Swan Hunter and BAE SYSTEMS Marine for 4 ALSLs is expected to be approximately £300M. Negotiations with both contractors are currently taking place to agree contract terms, conditions and price. It is our aim to bring these ships into service between Autumn 2004 and Summer 2006.

On the Type 45, the MoD has not placed any contracts with Swan Hunter or BAE SYSTEMS Marine. It remains our plan to place the contract for the first three Type 45s with BAE SYSTEMS Electronic, the nominated Prime Contractor for the Type 45 Programme, by the end of this year, with the first ship to enter service in 2007. As the Secretary of State said in the House on 11 July (Official Record, cols. 701/2), we intend that the first and third ships will be assembled by BAE SYSTEMS Marine and the second by Vosper Thornycroft. The Prime Contractor will sub-contract to these two shipbuilders at prices to be agreed between the Companies. Negotiations are still underway and we are not yet in a position to state the value of work that might be placed with a particular yard. The planned modular assembly approach also means that there will be the opportunity for other shipbuilders to bid for the competed element of Type 45 manufacture work.

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what competition has been conducted to procure an enhanced strategic sealift capability under PFI arrangements; what the cost of the contracted programme is; when the improved strategic sealift capability will be available to the Royal Navy; and if he will make a statement. [139651]

Dr. Moonie: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 28 November 2000:

I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the strategic sealift capability. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.

The competition for the strategic sealift service was subject to EC treaty and public procurement rules and was advertised in the official journal of the European Union. As announced by the Secretary of State for Defence on 26 October (Official Report columns 413-414), subject to final negotiations, we intend to sign a 25-year Public Finance Initiative (PFI) contract with AWSR Shipping Ltd. Based on expected usage of the ships, the contract will be worth around £950M and is expected that the full service will be available by 2003. An interim sealift service will be provided by charter in the short term. The service will be available to all Defence users requiring sealift.

28 Nov 2000 : Column: 495W

---