§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the early release of the contract to purchase the second tranche (block 2) of the Sea Wolf missile fusing system. [90167]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 13 July 1999]: The contract for the Sea Wolf missile fuse was placed in 1997 and there is no requirement for further purchases at this time. Turning to the Sea Wolf missile itself, we are 197W currently engaged in pre-contractual negotiations with the Prime Contractor, Matra BAe Dynamics (MBD), on the final tranche of the missile requirement, which is known as Block 2. Subject to the outcome of these discussions, we plan to place the Block 2 contract later this year.