HC Deb 28 November 2001 vol 375 cc913-4W
Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the NATO Defence Capabilities Initiative will report; and if he will make a statement. [18640]

Mr. Hoon

NATO's Defence Capabilities Initiative was launched at the Washington Summit in April 1999 with a view to addressing shortfalls in military capabilities across the Alliance. The Initiative is overseen by the High Level Steering Group (HLSG), the Chairman of which periodically reports to NATO Defence Ministers. The

Mr. Ingram

The following types of armoured vehicle are currently in service with the UK armed forces (the dates of any planned life extension programmes and withdrawal from services dates, based on current plans, are also given):

next report is due to be presented at the December Ministerials, with the HLSG's final report at the Prague Summit next year.

Since 1999 NATO nations have been working hard to implement the DCI. Progress has been made in many capability areas, including interoperability; logistics co-operation; air to air refuelling; air and sealift; and acquisition of precision-guided munitions. The UK's own performance within the Defence Capabilities Initiative compares very well with the Alliance average.