Bloodhound Missile (Hansard, 1 May 1991)

Mr. O'Neill
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he intends to start the development of a replacement for the Bloodhound missile.

§ Mr Alan Clark
It is currently intended to invite international industry to tender against a cardinal points specification for a future medium surface-to-air missile system.

Mr. O'Neill
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what discussions have taken place with NATO authorities regarding a possible replacement for the Bloodhound missile.

§ Mr. Alan Clark
We have consulted NATO authorities and our NATO allies on a number of occasions.

Mr. O'Neill
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff have been involved in the study of a possible replacement for the Bloodhound missile.
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§ Mr. Alan Clark
This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. O'Neill
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what feasibility studies into a replacement for the Bloodhound missile have taken place.

§ Mr. Alan Clark
The United Kingdom has undertaken its own national medium surface-to-air missile system feasibility study and has also participated in an Independent European Programme Group study.

Mr. O'Neill
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what expenditure has been incurred to date on the study of a possible replacement for the Bloodhound missile.

§ Mr. Alan Clark
The MOD incurred commitments of £1.5 million on extramural support for the national and international MSAM studies. Details of intramural expenditure could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. O'Neill
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what communications have taken place with industry regarding a possible replacement for the Bloodhound missile.

§ Mr. Alan Clark
Industry was involved in the national and international MSAM system studies. It has also been consulted about our plans to issue an invitation to tender. In December 1990 an announcement was made in the MOD's contracts bulletin to coincide with the distribution to industry of a draft of the cardinal points specification for comment.