§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when Thales Sensors enhanced battlefield surveillance capability will be operational; and if he will make a statement. [7318]
§ Dr. MoonieOur battlefield surveillance capability has a number of different elements. Assuming the hon. Member's question refers to the Interim Non-Communications Electronic Support Measures system (INCE), for which Thales Sensors were recently awarded the contract, the planned in-service date is December 2002. INCE will provide land commanders with an air-portable system for rapid interception, direction finding and position fixing of opponents' transmissions, primarily targeting radar systems.