Indirect Fire Precision Attack

HC Deb 12 November 2001 vol 374 cc523-4W

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Indirect Fire Precision Attack project. [14116]

Dr. Moonie

The Indirect Fire Precision Attack (IFPA) project will provide the Army with all-weather, 24-hour Indirect Fire System for the precision attack of targets at extended range. BAE Systems has been selected, after competition, as the preferred bidder to manage the Assessment Phase contract, which is expected to be placed in early 2002.

On current plans we expect to decide whether to proceed into the demonstration and manufacturing stage in 2005. If so the first IFPA capability would be delivered in 2010 and full IFPA capability would then enter service after 2015, incrementally under Smart Acquisition.