§ Lord Marlesfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Which companies are the main contractors for the supply of the Bowman tactical radio system to be operated by the United Kingdom Armed Forces; what contracts have so far been let for this equipment; and what is the value of these contracts. [HL1602]
§ Lord BachI refer the noble Lord to the Answer I gave on 19 July 2001 (WA 153) to my noble friend Lord Howie of Troon. The prime contract for the supply and support of the Bowman tactical radio system was awarded to CDC, a subsidiary of General Dynamics, now trading as General Dynamics (UK) Ltd (GD(UK)Ltd).
The placing of subcontracts is a matter for GD(UK) Ltd. and this work is continuing.
The contract with GD(UK) Ltd. was placed on 13 September at a value of about £1.8 billion (VAT inclusive at outturn prices).
§ Lord Marlesfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will set up a public inquiry into the military and cost consequences of, and the procurement lessons to be learnt from, the failure to replace the Clansman family of radios and ancillaries as the main tactical radio and communications system operated by the United Kingdom Armed Forces with the Bowman system in 1995 as planned and the consequent nine-year delay in the in-service date of the Bowman system to 2004. [HL1603]
§ Lord BachNo. The reasons for the delays to the Bowman system are well known and have been reported to Parliament on many occasions in response to questions and also as part of the Ministry of Defence's annual response to the major projects report. This report, produced by the National Audit Office on behalf of the Public Accounts Committee, has examined in detail the problems with Bowman several times. As a result the MoD has given evidence to the committee on Bowman.
As part of SMART acquisition, under which Bowman has been brought to a successful production contract placement, a learning from experience exercise is currently under way. Lessons learned from earlier phases have already been promulgated.
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§ Lord Marlesfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
What action they propose to take to ensure that the United Kingdom Armed Forces have access to a secure tactical radio communications system during the three years before the Bowman system comes into service. [HL1604]
§ Lord BachThe in-service Clansman family of radios can already provide secure tactical communications down to the battlegroup level. Where secure communications are required below that level, we use a system of manual encryption.
§ Lord Marlesfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is expected to be the cost during the current financial year and in each of the next three years of supplying the United Kingdom Armed Forces with the Bowman tactical radio system. [HL1605]
§ Lord BachThe cost during the current financial year of supplying the United Kingdom Armed Forces with the Bowman tactical radio system is expected to be £103 million.
The costs for the next three years are approximately:
Year Costs £ million 2002–03 250 2003–04 300 2004–05 360 Note: all costs are VAT inclusive at outturn prices.