HC Deb 06 May 1980 vol 984 cc50-1W
Mr. Onslow

asked the Secretary of State for Defence when a specification for the replacement of the fighting vehicle 432 was first formulated: and when it was changed to allow consideration of the United States infantry fighting vehicle as well as the British mechanised combat vehicle.

Mr. Hayhoe

A general staff requirement for a replacement armoured personnel carrier was first formulated in 1972. Following detailed studies a revised general staff requirement was endorsed in 1976 and has not since been changed. It is against the unchanged 1976 general staff requirement that both the United States infantry fighting vehicle and the British mechanised combat vehicle are now being evaluated.