§ Lord Peyton of Yeovilasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether Her Majesty's Government will make an announcement on the outcome of the competitions for the Conventionally Armed Stand-Off Missile, the Airborne Anti-Armour Weapon and the Replacement Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Earl Howe)To meet the Royal Air Force's requirement for a Conventionally Armed Stand-Off Missile, the Government have decided, following the conclusion of a very successful competition, to buy Storm Shadow missiles from British Aerospace Dynamics, subject to the negotiation of satisfactory terms. This decision will provide the Royal Air Force with a highly capable stand-off missile able to mount precision attacks on high priority targets, the need for which was demonstrated in the Gulf War. This decision will give excellent value for money for the taxpayer. It will also cement the recently announced merger of the missile businesses of British Aerospace and Matra of France. This will strengthen British Aerospace's ability to play a leading role in a restructured European industry.
164WAThe order will directly sustain some 1,600 jobs in our defence industry and work to the full value of the order will be placed with British companies.
The RAF also requires an Advanced Air-launched Anti-armour Weapon to defeat enemy battle tanks and other armoured vehicles and which can be deployed rapidly to and around the battlefield. The Government have decided that, subject to the negotiation of satisfactory contract terms, we will buy Brimstone from GEC Marconi Dynamics to meet this requirement. The company has won this tender in the face of fierce international competition, demonstrating that the UK is at the cutting edge of world missile seeker technology. We believe that the order will directly sustain some 700 jobs in our defence industry and, as with Storm Shadow, British companies will obtain work to the full value of the order.
The Royal Air Force's Maritime Patrol fleet provides a key part of the UK's anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capability. It also contributes significantly to our ability safely to deploy and sustain Contingency Forces, including the Joint Rapid Deployment Force. In addition to their operations in the North Atlantic, Nimrod aircraft played vital roles in the Gulf War and more recently over the Adriatic supporting operations in Bosnia. The Nimrod MR2 aircraft have been in service now for a quarter of a century; we need to replace them from the turn of the century.
The Government have decided to purchase 21 Nimrod 2000 aircraft from British Aerospace, subject to the satisfactory completion of contract negotiations. As prime contractor, British Aerospace will be wholly responsible for systems integration and for the airframe. Rolls Royce will supply the engine and Racal the radar, whilst key elements of the mission system will be provided through a strategic partnership between GEC and Boeing. The order will directly sustain around 2,600 UK jobs. Once again, work to the full value of the order will be placed with British companies.
These three orders have a combined value approaching £4 billion, and will sustain around 5,000 British jobs. They underline the Government's determination to deliver the benefits promised by Front Line First by sustaining and enhancing the fighting strength of our Armed Forces.