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
| 
