§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made on the MRAV programme; and if he will make a statement. [133836]
§ Dr. MoonieThis is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Robert Key, dated 23 October 2000:
I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the Multi-Role Armoured Vehicle (MRAV). This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.A bilateral UK/German firm price contract for the development of MRAV was placed with the industrial consortium ARTEC GmbH on 5 November 1999, since when satisfactory progress has been made. So far there have been four programme milestones, covering ballistic plate trials, delivery of initial build standard documentation, delivery of management plans and acceptance of ergonomic mock ups. All four milestones were achieved on time.MRAV will be procured through the quadrilateral Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR).