Bowman Communications System

HC Deb 09 July 2001 vol 371 cc360-1W

24. Jane Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the award of the Bowman contract. [1206]

Ms Ward

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will make a decision on the new supplier of the Bowman communications system; and if he will make a statement. [1201]

Dr. Moonie

A new competition for the Bowman communications system was announced on 25 July 2000. The competition has progressed ahead of schedule, with bids being received from Thales, General Dynamics company CDC, and TRW in February this year. All three bidders briefed Ministers recently and the Department is now in the final stages of a complex bid assessment process. We will announce a preferred supplier once we have fully assessed all the issues. On current plans we expect this to be by the end of July, ahead of our original timetable.