HC Deb 12 December 1974 vol 883 c227W
Mr. Trotter

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when the first model of the Ferret entered service with the Army; when the model currently in use in the liaison rôle entered service; whether it is intended to purchase additional Ferrets; and what is the estimated age of the oldest machine planned to be still in service in 1984.

Mr. Robert C. Brown

The first models of Ferret, including those currently in use in the liaison rôle, entered service in 1952. There are no plans to purchase additional Ferrets. The oldest vehicles planned to be still in service in 1984 will be about 30 years old, and the average about 25 years old. All vehicles are rebuilt to new standard every five years or 20,000 miles.