§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence, with regard to the 5.5-inch medium gun, (a) when it was introduced into service, (b) what is the number of regular and reserve artillery regiments equipped with it and what percentage they constitute of the total medium artillery regiments, and (c) what plans he has to replace this gun in service by a modern weapon.
§ Mr. William RodgersThe 5.5-inch medium gun was first introduced into service with the Army in 1942. It remains in service with some of our artillery regiments, both regular and TAVR, but it is not our practice to disclose deployment details. It will be replaced by the 155-mm FH70 towed gun, which is now in an advanced stage of development and will enter service within the next few years.
§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence what delays there have been in the development and production of the FH70 155-mm medium gun; and when the first regiment is now expected to re-equip with this weapon.
§ Mr. William RodgersIt is now expected that the first equipment will be delivered about three years later than was envisaged in 1967 when the decision was taken to commence negotiations for development on the basis of international collaboration. The first regiment should be re-equipped with this weapon towards the end of the 1970s.