§ Mr. ColvinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reasons the Army has a very urgent requirement for 55,500 rounds of 30 mm AFV TP-T (Practice) L18A2 ammunition as listed as future purchase number ART 2A/10 in MOD contracts bulletin volume 10, number 112 dated 21 February; and if he will make a statement. [22256]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotThe annual training requirement for the 30mm AFV TP-T practice round was expected to reduce following the introduction of the new discarding sabot reduced range round in 1995–96. Changes in the production timetable of the DSRR have resulted in the need to train with the TP-T round instead and, therefore, to replenish stocks earlier than expected.
§ Mr. ColvinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence for which forces there is a requirement for eight electronic support measure/direction finding stations as listed as tender number ISIS2A/017 in MOD contracts bulletin, volume 10, number 12, dated 21 February; and if this requirement is to replace existing equipment. [22257]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotThe requirement for the equipment specified in tender number ISIS2A/017 in MOD contracts bulletin, volume 10, number 12 dated 21 February, is to support the Army's activities in Bosnia as part of the NATO implementation force. The equipment to be provided is intended to meet the operation requirements of the deployment to Bosnia and is not intended to replace any existing Army equipment.