§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the decision to award the Saab Bofors Dynamics team the preferred supplier status for the NLAW programme. [59653]
§ Dr. MoonieSaab Bofors Dynamics Ltd (SBD) was selected as the preferred bidder for the armed forces Next Generation Light Anti-Armour Weapons (NLAW) following a competition. Selection of the Saab weapon, known as MBT-LAW, presents an excellent opportunity 755W for United Kingdom industry and is expected to create or sustain more than 500 jobs across the United Kingdom. The weapon also has significant export potential.
The programme is being undertaken in collaboration with the Kingdom of Sweden, enhancing our ties with an EU partner. A memorandum of understanding between our two Governments for the development and production of MBT-LAW is due to be signed shortly.
This competition has been an excellent example of smart acquisition and demonstrates how an effective capability can be achieved at affordable cost.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the anti-armour capability is of British Army infantry regiments. [59652]
§ Mr. IngramThe British Army infantry's anti-armour capability is currently provided by the MILAN Anti-tank Guided Missile System and the Light Anti-Armour Weapon (LAW 94mm).
This capability will be enhanced with the introduction of the Light Forces Anti-Tank Guided Weapon System (LF ATGWS) which will replace MILAN between 2005 and 2008 and the Next Generation Light Anti-Armour Weapon (NLAW) which will replace LAW 94mm in 2007.