HL Deb 16 June 1976 vol 371 c1366WA
Lord LLOYD of KILGERRAN

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are in a position to report—

  1. (a) on the general progress in the standardisation of heavy tanks and associated equipment for supply to NATO armies by about 1980;
  2. (b) whether they are committed in principle to the purchase of heavy tanks exclusively from the USA:
  3. (c) whether they would agree in principle to support the purchase from a country belonging to NATO other than the USA (e.g. from the Federal German Republic) of heavy tanks for NATO armies in 1980 if their quality and efficiency matches that of heavy tanks of US manufacture.

Lord WINTER BOTTOM

We are currently undertaking joint concept studies with the FRG with a view to defining a common tank for the late 1980s to replace the British Chieftain and the German Leopard I. The US and the FRG are attempting to standardise on a tank for the late 1970s/early 1980s as a replacement for their obsolete M48s, and while we will monitor their progress, we have no intention at this time to purchase either of their candidate tanks.

We and our allies are also actively pursuing the problem of standardising tank gun ammunition.

Forward to