HL Deb 14 July 1988 vol 499 cc1013-4WA
Lord Mulley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress has been made towards re-equipment of the armoured units of the British Army of the Rhine with up-to-date weapons and vehicles and when it is expected that the programme will be complete and at what total cost.

The Minister of State for Defence Procurement (Lord Trefgarne)

The provision of new equipments for the three armoured divisions in BAOR is continuing. Five regiments are now equipped with Challenger tanks and remaining deliveries will be completed in 1990. Eight battalions have now been provided with the Saxon armoured personnel carrier and a further two battalions will be equipped next year. The first infantry battalion has now been equipped with the Warrior mechanised infantry combat vehicle which is now' in full production: the full Warrior programme is aimed to complete in the mid-1990s. In total these vehicle programmes alone will represent new capital investment of the order of £1.75 billion. Additional investments in weapons and other equipment are planned to take place in antitank, air defence, and other capabilities. Further details are given in the Statement on Defence Estimates 1988 (Cmnd 344-I) paragraphs 312 and 313.