Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System

HC Deb 04 February 1999 vol 324 c740W

Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress on the Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System; and if he will list the project milestones. [68512]

Mr. Spellar

[holding answer 3 February 1999]: The Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System programme is still at an early stage, but is currently expected to involve a mix of systems, including a lightweight 155mm howitzer. Other elements of the programme are less well defined at present. The UK entered into co-operation with the US on their Lightweight 155mm Howitzer development programme in 1998, to allow us to benefit from information generated by the US programme, before making a decision on the way forward. On current plans, we expect the howitzer to enter UK service in 2007.