§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the US/UK initiative on the joint development of tactical Tomahawk missiles will be completed; at what costs; what plans his Department has to procure tactical Tomahawk missiles; and if he will make a statement. [109499]
§ Mr. Hoon[holding answer 17 February 2000]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the right hon. Member.
Letter from Sir Robert Warmsley to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 21 February 2000:
I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence on the US/UK initiative on the joint development of tactical Tomahawk missiles. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.George Robertson said in his letter of 23 August 99, that we had no plans to procure the Tactical Tomahawk (TACTOM) missiles, a more modern version of the Tomahawk missile. Since then, the United States authorities have given authority for the release of TACTOM information to the United Kingdom, but no decision has yet been taken about procuring the missiles. However, a contract 735W has been placed through the United States Department of Defense to undertake a joint US/UK feasibility study to evaluate the design options for torpedo tube launch of the TACTOM missile. This enabling work will allow UK options for TACTOM procurement, if required in the future, to remain open. The cost of this study to the UK will be £350,000 and I expect it to be complete by the end of March 2001.