§ Norman LambTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) air-launched and (b) ground-launched cluster munitions his Department purchased from Israeli Military Industries in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [135857]
§ Mr. IngramNo air-launched cluster munitions are purchased from Israel. Ground-launched cluster munitions, which consist of Shell 155mm HE L20A1 Extended Range Bomblet Shell (ERBS), are purchased from Royal Ordnance Defence (ROD) as the prime contractor, who sub contract the manufacture of ERBS shell to Israeli Military Industries (IMI). The fuse is fitted by ROD Glascoed where the entire round is packaged.
498WThe following quantities of ERBS have been purchased in the last five years: 6,000 in financial year 2002–03, 20,100 in financial year 2003–04, with a further quantity of 3,009 being provided against an option on the contract.