§ Mr. WilkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the Army's current requirements for an electronic warfare capability. [14224]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotThe Vixen system was selected to meet the Army's requirement for an automated electronic warfare—EW—system capable of collecting and disseminating accurate signals intelligence from a high-density, dynamic, electronic environment. A decision has been taken to terminate the contract with the prime contractor, Siemens Plessey Systems—SPS—because tests conducted during 1995 and 1996 demonstrated that Vixen has operational shortcomings. Various technical problems have delayed the project by several years and there is little prospect that these could be overcome by SPS without further significant delay and expense. MOD is considering its legal position and, if appropriate, will pursue a claim for compensation. The cost of the Vixen project has been around £50 million. A limited EW capability is already in service in Bosnia and the procurement of additional commercially available equipment is being considered while longer-term requirements are addressed. The decision to cancel Vixen was taken only after careful consideration of the operational, contractual, financial and industrial implications.