§ Lord Gregsonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What developments there have been concerning Army communications in the Balkans. [HL980]
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)As part of the department's ongoing efforts to reduce overstretch in the Army, we are 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 by116WA 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.