§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether tracked Rapier air defence systems of the type to be exported to Iran have been evaluated by the British Army; what advantage the tracked Rapier has over the towed system; and why the British Army is to be equipped only with the towed system.
§ Dr. GilbertTracked Rapier is a private venture and we are keeping in touch with its development. Although it does have advantages over the towed system in terms of crew protection and, in certain circumstances, mobility, it does not include a blindfire capability. Such a configuration would not meet the British Army requirement.