HC Deb 09 February 2000 vol 344 c164W
Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement concerning army communications in the Balkans. [109582]

Mr. Spellar

As part of my Department's on-going efforts to reduce overstretch in the Army, I am pleased to announce that a contract has been let to provide for less manpower-intensive and more modern communications equipment in the Balkans. The contract, with BAe Systems, will provide for wide area communications in support of the UK' s contribution to the NATO Multi National Divisions in Bosnia and Kosovo. While maintaining the UK's responsibility to NATO's peacekeeping forces, it will enable us to bring home some 150 Royal Signals personnel by the end of the year. It is also an excellent example of the SMART Procurement Initiative by demonstrating the advantages of working closely together with industry to deliver the equipment our front-line troops need. The contract is specific to the Balkans theatre of operations and does not affect the Army's wider communications requirements. The cost of this equipment will be met from the Contingency Reserve.