§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Challenger I tanks that were sent to the Gulf in support of Operation Granby have had their engines replaced as a result of failure; and what has been the cost of maintenance of the Challenger I tanks since they were first sent to the Gulf.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkDuring the whole of Operation Granby, which included an intensive programme of exercises prior to hostilities, 190 Challenger powerpacks were replaced as a result of engine or engine-related failure. This number was within the planning parameters.
The additional maintenance cost of the Challenger tanks sent to the Gulf, including the purchase of some new engines, major assemblies and other spares is approximately £30 million.