§ Lord Vivianasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many Challenger 2 tanks currently exist at the Royal Armoured Corps training establishments and at the British Army Training Unit Suffield; how many are in the armoured squadron at the School of Infantry, Warminster; and how many are in reserve. [HL3973]
§ Lord BachFormer Royal Armoured Corps training establishments are now part of the Army Training and Recruiting Agency (ATRA). The Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) Gunnery School, Lulworth, the Armour and Reconnaissance Wing of the AFV Driving and Maintenance School, Bovington, and the AFV Command and Information Systems (CIS) School, Bovington, all of which form part of the Armour Centre (formerly the RAC Centre), currently share 22 Challenger 2 main battle tanks.
The tank squadron at Warminster is part of the Land Warfare Training Centre (LWTC) battle group, which provides support to both individual and collective training and exercises. The current LWTC tank squadron is A Squadron, one Royal Tank Regiment, which holds 15 Challenger 2 tanks.
Thirty-two Challenger 2 tanks are held at the British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS).
In addition, tanks not required for other uses are held at the Defence Supply and Distribution Agency depot at Ashchurch. The number held there on any one day will depend on how many are required for all other uses, including the armoured regiments, training establishments, trials work, or the repair pool. On 4 July 2003, there were 17 tanks held at Ashchurch, including some waiting to be called forward for inspection and/or repair.