§ Jon TrickettTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the performance of the Challenger I tank in extreme heat and desert conditions. [74647]
§ Mr. IngramThe Challenger 1 Main Battle Tank is no longer in service and has been replaced by Challenger 2.
Challenger 2 was deployed on Exercise Saif Sareea II, held in Oman last year, where it was operated in extremely hot, dry, desert conditions. Post-exercise reports confirm that the tank performed very well during the Exercise, notwithstanding the higher than anticipated usage of engine air filters. Trials of possible enhancements to reduce the effects of high concentrations of dust on the tank are currently taking place.
§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent progress has been made to address the problems with(a) the Challenger 2, (b) AS90 and (c) suitability of personal equipment highlighted by the Saif Sareea II exercise. [74414]
§ Mr. IngramTrials of possible enhancements to reduce the effects of high concentrations of dust on the Challenger 2 are currently taking place.
To enhance the AS90's ability to operate more effectively in desert conditions, a Desertisation Upgrade Pack is being scoped with the Design Authority.
Personnel working on Exercise Saif Sareea II preparations over the summer months were issued with desert combat boots. It was considered that regular combat boots would be appropriate, given the expected temperatures, for the main exercise phase during the autumn. Temperatures were, however, significantly higher and a useful lesson learnt has been that for future deployments, in such temperatures, it would be appropriate for all troops to be issued with desert combat boots.
551WBoth desert and temperate camouflaged uniforms were approved for use on Exercise Saif Sareea II. Following experience in Oman and Afghanistan, we intend to determine the optimum upper temperature range for the temperate uniform.