Chieftain Tanks (Hansard, 14 December 1989)

§ Mr. Clelland
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what numbers of new battle tanks he will order to replace Chieftain tanks now in service.

§ Mr. Alan Clark
This has yet to be decided.

§ Mr. Clelland
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which companies have been asked to submit proposals for battle tanks to replace Chieftain tanks currently in service; and what deadlines for submissions have been applied to each company.

§ Mr. Alan Clark
Vickers Defence Systems, General Dynamics and Kraus Maffei have been invited to submit proposals. Details of these invitations are commercial in confidence, but action has been set in hand to enable us to meet our aim of making a decision by the end of 1990.

§ Mr. Clelland
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which manufacturers have been informed by his Department of the precise number of battle tanks to be ordered to replace Chieftain tanks now in service.

§ Mr. Alan Clark
No decision on precise numbers of main battle tanks to replace Chieftain has yet been taken. Vickers Defence Systems, General Dynamics and Kraus Maffei have been invited to quote against option quantities.

§ Mr. Fatchett
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he now expects to place the orders for new tanks for the British Army; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Clelland
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the projected date for his decision on the order of new battle tanks to replace Chieftain tanks currently in service.

§ Mr. Alan Clark
It is our intention to reach a decision on a tank to replace Chieftain by the end of 1990.