§ Mr. Kershawasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the approximate cost of equipping an armoured brigade group, and an infantry brigade group, respectively.
§ Mr. BoydenThe value of equipment held by an armoured brigade and by an infantry brigade in B.A.O.R. are approximately £18.5 million and £16.5 million respectively. When the Chieftain tank and Swingfire missile are fully in service, these costs will increase to £29 million and £20 million.
The cost of the equipment of an infantry brigade for operations outside Europe is about £8 million and that of an airportable infantry brigade is about £6 million. The former will cost £11.5 million when equipped with Chieftain and Swingfire; the latter £6.5 million when equipped with Swingfire.