§ Lord Marlesfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the total number of rifles, indicating the number of rifles of each different model, that are at present on issue to HM Armed Forces; what steps they are taking to replace or modify them to bring them to the necessary standard of robustness and reliability; and whether they can estimate the time and cost required to take the necessary remedial action for this purpose. [HL1604]
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)The total number of rifles on issue to HM Armed Forces is 306,413. This covers the following rifle types:
- Rifle 0.22in No 8 Mk1
- Rifle 0.338in L115A1
- Rifle 0.50in M82A1
- Rifle 5.56mm L85A1 (SA 80)
- Rifle 5.56mm L98A1 (Cadet Rifle)
- Rifle 5.56mm M16A2
- Rifle 7.62min L81A2 (Cadet Target Rifle)
- Rifle 7.62mm L96A1
- Rifle 7.62mm PM/PMS
- Rifle 7.62mm L100A1/L100A
I am withholding a detailed breakdown of the numbers of type under Exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, which relates to Defence, Security and International Relations.
All types of rifle in-service with HM Armed Forces are continuously monitored for reliability and maintainability. This monitoring process is used to plan upgrade and modification programmes.
The majority of rifles used by the Armed Forces are of the SA 80 type. Experience in recent conflicts has shown that these rifles have a tendency to become unreliable when used in extremes of climate. We have now carried out statistically valid trials to confirm these problems and, as a result, are considering modifying the weapon to increase its overall reliability. A decision on the way forward is expected shortly.