§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his answer of 8 February 2001,Official Report, column 631W and his subsequent letter, (1) if he will list the serviceability targets for each year from 1995 to 2001 inclusive for (a) Warrior variants, (b) Challenger 1, (c) Challenger 2, (d) Saxon variants, (e) AVF 430 variants, (f) Sabre, (g) Striker, (h) Scimitar, (i) Spartan, (j) Sultan, (k) Samaritan and (l) Samson; and if he will make a statement; [151037]
(2) on what date the decision was made to change the system of fully operational serviceability targets for the Army tank fleet from readiness in 24 hours to immediate availability; for what operational reasons; and if he will make a statement. [151038]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 26 February 2001]: The decision to change the system of reporting equipment availability was taken in May last year. The change was made following the adoption of the Formation Readiness Cycle which places different units in the Army at different readiness states. Some of these states require equipment to be available immediately (ie capable of undertaking the task to which it has been allocated), while for others a much longer lead time will be acceptable.
The serviceability targets for the equipment types listed by the right hon. and learned Member, which reflect this change in the reporting system, are shown in the table.
Percentage Vehicle type Serviceability target 1995–2000 Immediate availability target 2000 to date1 Warrior Variants 75 75 Challenger 12 80 80 Challenger 23 80 80 Saxon Variants 70 70 AFV430 70 70 Sabre 70 70 Striker 70 70 Scimitar 70 70 Spartan 70 70 Sultan 70 70 Samaritan 70 70 Samson 70 70 1This target is set by the Equipment Managers and applies to all vehicles regardless of the readiness state of the Unit to which they are allocated. 2Challenger I withdrawal programme is almost complete. 3Challenger 2 was introduced into service in 1998.