Thermal Identity Beacons (Hansard, 13 June 1996)

HC Deb 13 June 1996 vol 279 c242W 242W

§ Mr. Colvin
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what use has been made in the past of thermal identity beacons for military vehicles; if he will make a statement on the new requirement for such beacons in future, purchase No. ASIC/31 of the MOD contracts bulletin volume 10 No. 16; and if such beacons are in use with other NATO forces. [30784]

§ Mr. Arbuthnot
No use has been made of thermal identity beacons for military vehicles in the past. The new requirement, outlined in MOD "Contracts Bulletin" volume 10 No. 16, is for the United Kingdom contingent of The NATO implementation force—IFOR No. 16 in Bosnia and is being procured to reduce the risk of friendly fire. The beacons are not in use with other NATO forces but we intend to share the technology with other IFOR nations.