§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to develop a UK-manufactured radio system to replace AN/PRC-138 125W HF radios. [115541]
§ Dr. MoonieThis is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Mike Hancock dated 24 March 2000:
I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence on what plans he has to develop a UK-manufactured radio system to replace the AN/PRC-138 125W HF radios previously acquired by the Ministry of Defence. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.The AN/PRC-138 HF radio equipment with 125W power amplifiers was acquired to meet an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) for a secure data messaging capability in support of operations in the Balkans. This capability will be superseded when the BOWMAN HF data radio is introduced into service. There are no plans to develop another system in the interim.