§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 25 November 2002,Official Report, column 1W, on accident inquiries, how many (a) boards of inquiry, (b) unit inquiries, (c) ship inquiries and (d) station inquiries have been convened in relation to accidents that have resulted in significant damage to buildings or equipment, or affected operational capability, in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [85366]
§ Dr. MoonieThe number of RAF inquiries into accidents involving property or equipment between 1998 and 2002 is detailed in the table:
(c) actual operating number is of (i) Challenger 2 tanks, (ii) AS90 and (iii) Lynx helicopters; and if he will make a statement. [85354]
§ Mr. IngramThe requirement for the Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank is for six armoured regiments, each with a war establishment of 58 tanks, giving a total of 348 tanks. Further tanks are required for training and to maintain repair loops. The total number of 925W Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks is 386, with holdings split between units, the British Army Training Unit Suffield, the Army Training and Recruiting Agency, trials and development, in-depth repair and storage. Units do not normally hold all 58 tanks for which they are established on a day to day basis. More typically the six armoured regiments would hold 44 tanks each.
The requirement for AS90 is for six regiments, giving a total of 126 guns. Further guns are required for training and to maintain repair loops. The total number of AS90 guns is 179, with holdings split between units, the British Army Training Unit Suffield, the Army Training and Recruiting Agency, trials and development, in-depth repair and storage. Typical unit holdings are either 24 or 18 guns, but, for operations, holdings would be reorganised to allow regiments of 32 guns to be deployed.
The requirement for Lynx helicopters is for 117, of which 17 will be undergoing maintenance at any one time, giving an operating fleet of 100 helicopters deployed across the United Kingdom and overseas.
§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) the modifications that have been made to Challenger 2 tanks and how much these modifications cost, (b) the modifications are being made to Challenger 2 tanks and how much these modifications will cost, (c) further modifications to Challenger 2 tanks that his Department plans to make and how much he estimates these will cost and (d) when he expects modifications to be complete; and if he will make a statement. [85362]
§ Mr. HoonIn line with the practice for all major items of equipment. Post Design Service enabling arrangements have been placed with the Design Authority (DA) (now Alvis Vickers Ltd.) since Challenger 2 entered service. In addition to maintaining the design standard, these agreements allow modifications, ranging from minor adjustments of detailed build standard to significant changes to operational capability, to be considered. This enables specific contracts to be placed to undertake any necessary modification work. In line with this approach, a number of contracts have been placed recently in respect of modifications to Challenger 2 to improve its operation in desert conditions.
I am withholding the specific details, cost and timescale of the modification work under Exemption 1 (Defence, security and international relations) of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.