§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost is of the MOD accelerating the Army's Watchkeeper unmanned air vehicle reconnaissance project; when the research project will be completed; when the Army will have operational capability of Watchkeeper; and if he will make a statement. [138975]
§ Dr. MoonieWe do not expect the overall cost of the Watchkeeper Unmanned Aerial Vehicle capability to increase if it is advanced. We are currently considering, as part of our normal planning processes, whether there is scope to accommodate earlier expenditure within the Department's overall Equipment Programme. 103W Watchkeeper is in an assessment phase which is expected to last up to three years. Once this phase is complete a decision will be made on moving to production. On current plans this would lead to an In Service Date of 2008.