HL Deb 25 March 1999 vol 598 c172WA
Lord Vivian

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they can confirm that the new technology in the RADAR Technology Insertion Programme being used by Northrop Grumann/British Aerospace will not require a mid-life improvement costing about £450 million. [HL1558]

Lord Gilbert

Proposals have been received from three companies for the Airborne Stand-Off Radar, ASTOR, programme, including one from Northrop Grumann/British Aerospace which incorporates the Radar Technology Insertion Programme, RTIP. All the bids are being assessed against the ASTOR requirement. Evaluation of the bids is nearing completion and it is not, therefore, appropriate to provide specific comments on the merits of them, or on whether any of them might require mid-life improvement. I can, however, give an assurance that our assessment takes full account of operational effectiveness, technical capability, industrial participation proposals and through life best value for money.