§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many REME personnel have been qualified to work on Challenger II in each year since the tank has been in service. [76351]
§ Mr. IngramChallenger 2 is a very complex vehicle with many different component parts ranging from the engine to the electronic gunnery systems, necessitating a wide range of personnel from different trades and specialisations to work on them.
Depending on the type of repair required, the damaged part can be fixed in the field, in a workshop or returned to the manufacturer. In many cases the part is replaced and the damaged part returned for repair. All Challenger 2 crewmen are able to replace parts as necessary provided the part is carried on board. Crewmen are not REME personnel.
349WVehicle Mechanics are those REME personnel trained to work on many of the Army's vehicles, including Challenger 2, both in the field and in
1997–1998 1998–1999 1999–2000 2000–2001 2001–2002 2002–2003* Total 24 43 122 153 177 126 645 Note:
* to end September 2002
⋆ to end September 2002.