Defence Equipment 2010 - Defence Committee Contents


Letter from Quentin Davis MP, Minister for Defence Equipment and Support

  I am writing to provide an update on a key maritime project, the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) Programme.

  As you are aware, MARS will replace a number of existing Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships and provide new capabilities to support the Royal Navy from the middle of the next decade and beyond. Under the Programme strategy, three classes of ship will be delivered; the MARS Tankers (formerly known as Fleet Tankers), Fleet Solid Support and Amphibious Combat Support (formerly known as Joint Sea Based Logistics). In order to comply with International Maritime environmental standards, which require all tankers to be double hulled and for existing ageing ships to be replaced as quickly as possible, priority has been placed on the Tankers element of the programme.

  I decided to cancel the previous competition in March 2009 and to look for a less highly specified solution. Since then work to review the procurement strategy has continued. This has concluded that a more open procurement strategy considering a range of possible solutions, including commercial solutions, and which takes account of current market conditions, is more likely to secure best value for money for the Department.

  I have therefore recently approved a new competition to deliver the MARS Tankers, and in accordance with EU and MoD commercial policy, expressions of interest from industry are currently being sought through advertisements in the Open Journal of the European Union and the Defence Contracts Bulletin. The closing date for these is 27 November 2009.

  The later ship classes, Fleet Solid Support and Amphibious Combat Support, remain uncommitted at this stage. The extent to which they will contribute to the sustainment of key UK design and build skills will continue to be evaluated in the MARS Programme's Assessment Phase.

  I hope this update is helpful and explains the current position. I will, of course, keep you informed as matters develop.

16 October 2009




 
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