§ 16. Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to make an announcement on the SA80 modification programme. [127272]
§ Mr. HoonMy hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State announced on Friday 23 June that we intend to award a contract to Heckler and Koch, a subsidiary of Royal Ordnance, to modify some 200,000 SA80 weapons, including both the Individual Weapon and the Light Support Weapon. The SA80 is a generally effective weapon system. But we now know that it can be improved. Our Service men and women deserve a reliable weapon in which they have confidence. The modification programme will make the SA80 among the best in the world. And it demonstrates our willingness to take quick and decisive procurement action when required.