§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will award a contract for the Urban Operations Study for the armed forces; how long the contract will last; how much money the contract is worth; when equipment tested will enter service; and if he will make a statement. [104227]
§ Mr. IngramThe Urban Operations Study contract is expected to be let towards the end of April 2003 subject to completion of the competitive bid assessment and contract negotiation process. The Study is expected to last for up three years. While contract values can not be confirmed until the tender assessment process is complete it is likely that the study will be valued at about £2.5 million. Supporting contracts will also be let with QinetiQ and DSTL to assist and manage the analysis of
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Serial (a)/Unit (b) Exercise (c) Remarks (d) 1. 2nd Bn, Royal Anglian Regiment UK MILAN Concentration 2 week dry/live anti-tank training 2. 1st Bn, Royal Green Jackets GRAND PRIX 6 week FTX1 3. 1st Bn, Kings Own Scottish Borderers UK MILAN Concentration 2 week dry/live anti-tank training 4. 16 Regiment, the Royal Regiment of Artillery CENTAURS BOW 1 week CPX2 5. 40 Regiment, The Royal Regiment of Artillery IRON THUNDER 1 week CAST3 GRAND PRIX 6 week FTX IRON SQUALL 1 week CPX 6. 4 Regiment, The Royal Regiment of Artillery Artillery Firing Camp 3 week dry/live firing 7. 22 Engineer Regiment LION SUN 5 week FTX 8. 38 Engineer Regiment GRAND PRIX 6 week FTX 9. Queen's Royal Hussars Armoured Firing Camp 2 week dry/live firing 10. 1st Bn, The Queen's Lancashire Regiment DRUIDS DANCE 4 week FTX 11. 1st Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery IRON SQUALL 1 week CAST IRON THUNDER 1 week CPX SEA TROUT 3 week light gun firing camp 12. 1st Bn, The Royal Anglian Regiment IRON RAM 2 week exchange FTX 1 Field Training Exercise 2 Command Post Exercise 3 Command and Staff Trainer the data collected and help convert this into prioritised user requirements in order to support equipment programming action. Equipment tested and prioritised for acquisition would enter service from 2005. Future acquisition could, however, be subject to normal affordability considerations.