§ Mr. Home RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what Regular Army amphibious engineer capability is to be available in the United Kingdom after 1995; when the current M2 equipment will be replaced by M3 equipment, and at what cost; whether the bridging and ferry equipment currently in service can operate for a fully loaded Challenger main battle tank; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AitkenWe intend that the Regular Army's amphibious engineering capability will remain in Germany; a Territorial Army capability will be provided in the United Kingdom.
We plan to replace the current M2 bridging equipment with M3 equipment from 1996. As we intend to hold a competition in the near future, the estimated cost is commercially confidential.
The current M2 equipment can carry a fully loaded Challenger I main battle tank. M3 has been designed with this and future tank requirements in mind.