HC Deb 24 July 2002 vol 389 cc1110-1W
Mr. Keetch

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many SA80s and SA80 A2s have been issued to(a) the Royal Navy, (b) the Royal Marines, (c) the RAF, (d) army armoured regiments, (e) airborne regiments, (f) infantry regiments, (g) the TA and (h) other units; and if he will make a statement. [71699]

Dr. Moonie

As the SA80 A2 deployment continues and the unmodified weapon is withdrawn, the information requested changes daily. As at 19 July 2002 the following information was available.

MOD unit SA80 A2 SA80 Al
(a) The Royal Navy 131 10,179
(b) The Royal Marines 3,713 5,012
(c) The RAF 5,437 27,389
(d) Armoured regiments 514 6,982
(e) Airborne regiments 2,137 1—
(f) Infantry regiments 2,415 32,939
(g) The TA2 100 —
(h) Other units (including the TA) 9,522 89,264
Total 23,969 171,765

1SA80 A I figures for Airborne troops are included within Infantry regiments figures.

2Reserve Training and Mobilisation Centre (RTMC), Chilwell.

Approximately 4,000 SA80 A2s are being issued each month and the deployment is expected to be complete by May 2006.