§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what capabilities or facilities he intends to procure with the new capital announced in the Spending Review; and if he will list the five capabilities that he intends to spend the most money on. [80968]
§ Mr. IngramThe 2002 Spending Review provided £1 billion for extra investment in enhanced military capabilities to implement the conclusions of the New Chapter to the Strategic Defence Review. The allocation of this will be determined through the Ministry of Defence's annual planning process which will be completed early next year and will inform the Defence White Paper which it is planned to publish next summer.
My right hon. Friend The Secretary of State for Defence has announced that we will be investing in a range of capabilities including by accelerating the Watchkeeper UAV programme and upgrading our E-3D AWACS aircraft. We are evaluating additional enhancements to our target acquisition and strike capabilities to operate 24 hours a day, in all weathers, and to enable rapid retargeting. We are also acquiring technology to meet the threats from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear weapons that we may face in the future.