§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) tanks, (b) artillery pieces, (c) RAF fighter aircraft, (d) frigates and destroyers and (e) infantry were in the possession of United Kingdom armed forces in (i) 1979, (ii) 1990 and (iii) 1997. [14067]
§ Mr. Soames[holding answer 4 February 1997]: Since 1979, the circumstances in which we envisage British armed forces being deployed have changed dramatically. In particular, with the end of the cold war, and the dissolution of the Warsaw pact, we have been able to reduce the size of the front line while spending a higher proportion of the defence budget on new equipment for
United Kingdom holdings of tanks, artillery, fighters, frigate and destroyers and infantry numbers,1979 to 19971 Year Tanks2 Artillery pieces3 Fighters4 Frigates and destroyers Infantry5 1979 640 282 126 69 45,600 1990 699 6298 157 48 46,900 1997 388 240 100 35 31,900 1Figures are for 1 April expect for 1997, where they reflect the situation at 1 January 2Figures are for main battle tanks only and exclude armoured reconnaissance vehicles and armoured vehicles royal engineers. 3Figures are for field artillery pieces only and exclude air defence artillery, anti-tank guided weapon system and, in 1979 and 1990, Lance sub-strategic nuclear missile lanchers. 4Defined as those aircraft established in the air defence role, as indicated by statements on the Defence Estimates. 5Figures include British and Gurkha soldier but exclude Royal Marines and troops of the Ulster Defence Regiment and the Royal Irish Regiment (Home Service) battalions. Figures include soldier trainees 6Includes the unit establishments for both M107 self-propelled guns and MLRS which was replacing them.