§ Lord Vivian asked Her Majesty's Government:When the Successor Identification Friend or Foe system will be available for installation in ground attack aircraft, and what progress has been made in the Identification Friend or Foe system for armoured vehicles. [HL2657]
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§ Lord Bach:The Successor Identification Friend or Foe (SIFF) system is planned for installation in Tornado GR4 aircraft by early 2004 and in Harrier GR7/9 aircraft, in conjunction with the GR9 upgrade programme, from 2005. It is not planned to fit it to Jaguar.
In providing for the future technical element of land combat identification, we are exploring a battlefield target identification (BTID) capability that will be compatible with NATO allies. These studies continue to make progress and the first formal investment decision (initial gate) is planned next year.
§ Lord Vivianasked Her Majesty's Government:
What Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) equipment is fitted to Challenger 2 tanks, Warrior Armoured Vehicles and Scimitar Reconnaissance Vehicles. [HL2658]
§ Lord Bach:Combat identification is not delivered by a single system or piece of equipment, but by a combination of tactics and procedures backed up by technology. It would jeopardise operational security to reveal details of the specific equipment fitted to Challenger 2 tanks, Warrior Armoured Vehicles and Scimitar Reconnaissance Vehicles and I am therefore withholding the information under Exemption 1 (Defence, security and international relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. I can, however, confirm that the combat identification capability fitted to these vehicles is compatible and comparable with that of the US and is based on NATO standards.