§ Lord Trefgarneasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have for the procurement of an attack helicopter for the British Army.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Viscount Cranborne)It is our intention to order a complete attack helicopter weapons system to replace the Lynx in the anti-armour role; and to procure the aircraft, together with an associated support package, "off the shelf" through a prime contractor, following competition. I am pleased to announce that the Invitation to Tender, which will initiate this competition, was issued to potential bidders yesterday.