SOMCHEM-designed Modular Charge System

HC Deb 11 June 2003 vol 406 cc917-8W

Mr. Keith Simpson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what the(a) financial and (b) operational consequences are of failure of the SOMCHEM-designed modular charge system to meet the performance specification; [115485]

(2) for what reason the SOMCHEM-designed modular charge system has not met the performance specification; [115486]

(3) whether his Department plans to purchase the German Rheinmetall W and M modular propellant charge system. [115959]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 3 June 2003]: The Defence Procurement Agency is working closely with Royal Ordnance Defence, the prime contractor for the Extended Range Ordnance/Modular Charge System project, to address technical problems which are delaying programme delivery. The Somchem-designed modular charge system has contributed to these problems, and the resulting programme, financial and operational implications are currently under review. Although Rheinmetall offers an alternative modular charge system, this is unlikely to meet Ministry of Defence requirements, and there are therefore no plans at present to procure such a system.