§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System; and if he will make a statement. [117495]
§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 3 April 2000]This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to hon. Member.
Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Robert Key, dated 7 April 2000:
I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence which asked about the Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.The Lightweight Mobile Artillery Weapon System (LIMAWS) programme will form a lightweight artillery capability for our rapid reaction forces, and is planned to consist of lightweight towed 155mm howitzer, lightweight rocket launcher, and a lightweight weapon locating radar. Both the weapon locating radar and the rocket launcher programmes are at the early concept phase of the smart procurement cycle. However, as part of our initial consideration of the rocket launcher programme, we invited tenders in January for a study to examine the technical risks to the development of a lightweight launch platform. The results of this study will inform the more detailed assessment phase in due course. We are currently examining options for the weapon locating radar, and intend to commence a formal assessment phase shortly. The gun programme is more advanced, and the United Kingdom continues to work closely with the United States on its lightweight 155mm howitzer development programme, the contract for which is with BAE Systems RO Defence. The information generated from this will assist in deciding the way forward on this element of the programme.