§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what effect the recent changes to the US Army budget plan will have on the TRACER/Future Scout and Cavalry System; and if he will make a statement. [109733]
§ Dr. MoonieThe UK and USA have entered into a joint Project Definition phase for TRACER/FSCS under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding. This commits both nations to an equal share of the cost of this stage of the project. There is no commitment, by either nation, to proceed beyond the Project Definition phase and, therefore, no agreement to fund any further development beyond this stage. The UK contribution to the cost of the collaborative Project Definition contracts for TRACER is some £90 million. My officials are in close touch with their US counterparts over the TRACER/FSCS programme.