§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of the helmet pointing system being delivered with the Apache helicopters; how long he expects the helmet pointing system for the helicopters to be in service before being upgraded; and what the cost of the upgrade will be. [95346]
402W
§ Mr. SpellarThis is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from John Howe to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 8 November 1999:
I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the helmet pointing system being delivered with the UK Apache helicopters. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.The cost of the helmet pointing system being delivered with the Apache helicopter is not separately identified within the package deal contract which was signed with GKN Westland Helicopter Ltd in March 1996, at a value of some £2Bn. There are no current plans to upgrade the system, but we continue to monitor developments in this field and are exploring opportunities to collaborate with the US Army in providing a longer term upgrade.