§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of(a) the weapons systems and (b) the navigation and other systems of the Challenger 2 tank, will be contracted to (i) United Kingdom companies and (ii) overseas companies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkWe have only one contract for the Challenger 2 tank and this is with Vickers PLC. The nationalities of sub-contractors are a matter for that company.
§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what was the original specification for inertial navigational aids on the new main battle tank; whether there have been any changes in the specifications; and whether the FIN 11–55 meets(a) the original and (b) the revised specification;
(2) what inertial navigation system is to be procured for use on the Challenger 2 main battle tank; at what cost; and whether it will be fitted in every such tank.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkThe original specification for the Chieftain replacement included an inertial navigation system which we believe FIN 11–55 would have met. However, experience of operating Challenger 1 in the Gulf using a much simpler global positioning system—GPS—demonstrated that an inertial navigation system would not be essential to meet our operational needs and therefore, on cost grounds, could no longer be justified. Challenger 2 will therefore be fitted only with the GPS.