§ Mr. RogersTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) whether the submissions for the M1 Abrams main battle tank fully satisfy the requirements, as defined in the draft memorandum of understanding between the United Kingdom and United States Governments, in so far as existing and proposed projectiles for its main armament are concerned;
(2) what steps have been taken to ensure that the submissions relating to the M1 Abrams main battle tank fully satisfy its requirements for structural armour.
§ Mr Alan ClarkThe information sought on armour and main armament ammunition is sufficiently comprehensive fully to satisfy our requirements for a proper evaluation of the M1 Abrams MBT against the staff requirement for Chieftain replacement.
§ Mr. RogersTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps have been taken to ensure that the information made available to his Department, in respect of the reliability of the MIAZ Abrams, Leclerc and Leopard 2 main battle tanks, is entirely comparable with that which has been required from Vickers Defence Systems in respect of Challenger 2.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkI am satisfied that the information being made available to my Department in respect of the reliability of the overseas contenders for Chieftain Replacement will be entirely comparable with that which has been required from Vickers Defence Systems in respect of Challenger 2.