§ Mr. MaplesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of requalification for(a) 155 mm artillery projectiles, (b) 105 mm artillery projectiles, (c) 120 mm tank projectiles, (d) rocket motors for Sea Wolf and Sea Skua missiles and (e) explosives for ejector seat systems; and what is his estimate of the proportion of the cost that is met from his Department's funds. [78190]
§ Mr. George Robertson[holding answer 22 March 1999]: The typical requalification cost for an artillery or tank round of ammunition is about £2 million, of which about £1.5 million is for the charge. For rocket motors the cost is about £5 million and for ejection seat cartridges up to £1 million. Costs vary significantly according to the circumstances, as does the proportion of cost to be met by the Ministry of Defence. These amounts should be set in the context of the overall value of the procurement contracts, which often amount to many tens of millions of pounds. For example, the Extended Range Ordnance/ Modular Charge System contract is worth around £100 million.
485W
§ Mr. MaplesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many ammunition products for United Kingdom military use will have to be subject to requalification procedures by his Department. [78189]
§ Mr. George Robertson[holding answer 22 March 1999]: All ammunition products require Ordnance Board qualification before they are made available for United Kingdom military use. Requalification of explosive products is required whenever there is a prolonged break in production or there has been a change in manufacturer, manufacturing process, or source of raw materials. Therefore it is not possible to determine precisely which future ammunition requirements will induce requalification.