Multi-role Armoured Vehicles

HC Deb 21 July 1998 vol 316 c476W

Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the progress of the MRAV project; [51253]

(2) how many multi-role armoured vehicles he intends to purchase. [51255]

Mr. Spellar

Following the joint announcement with France and Germany on 22 April of our intention to proceed with collaborative development and initial production of the Multi-Role Armoured Vehicle, MRAV, and of the selection of the trilateral consortium "Eurokonsortium" as the preferred bidder, we have set work in hand to prepare a Memorandum of Understanding between the three nations. Detailed contract negotiations with the consortium are also proceeding. The initial production order will include 200 vehicles for each nation. No decisions have been taken on the final numbers required.