HC Deb 20 December 1988 vol 144 c254W
Mr. Conway

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the procurement of a new main battle tank for the Army.

Mr. Younger

I refer my hon. Friend to the statement I made in the House today on the replacement of the Chieftain tank.

In my statement, I pointed out that precise criteria for performance and technical achievement have been established against which the success of the demonstration phase will be measured. The requirements of the demonstration phase are in summary as follows:

  1. (a) to demonstrate overall vehicle performance in prototype tanks;
  2. (b) to demonstrate successful integration at bench level;
  3. (c) to demonstrate weapon system performance;
  4. (d) to demonstrate armour performance;
  5. (e) to achieve successful proof firing of the CHARM gun;
  6. (f) to demonstrate fightability;
  7. (g) to demonstrate system accuracy;
  8. (h) to produce an acceptable risk assessment;
  9. (i) to produce an acceptable reliability analysis;
  10. (j) to specify equipment, stores and facilities which the Ministry of Defence would be called upon to supply:
  11. (k) to demonstrate that the improved ammunition round can be successfully developed.

The requirements will be specified in detail in the contract with the company.