Light Anti-Armour Weapon

HC Deb 17 March 1981 vol 1 cc191-2

15. Mr. Colvin

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the development of the light anti-armour weapon.

Mr. Goodhart

A man portable lightweight anti-armour weapon known as LAW 80 is under development for introduction into the British Army during the early 1980s.

LAW 80 is an all-British design and the first manned firing took place recently. It is designed to knock out of action the most modern Russian main battle tanks and will be issued to the Services in large numbers.

Mr. Colvin

Will my hon. Friend agree that the light anti-armour weapon could make a most cost-effective contribution to the task of stopping mass attacks of Warsaw Pact armour in a central European theatre? What other NATO countries have agreed to adopt this weapon?

Mr. Goodhart

It is still in the development stage, but we hope and believe that there will be a large sale to our friends and allies.