§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress on modernising the Royal Navy's chart and navigation system. [155020]
Mr.IngaramIn January 2004 the Ministry of Defence announced that a contract had been awarded to Lockheed martin UK Ltd. to fit Royal Navy ships with a new electronic charting system. The system, known as WECDIS(Warship Electronic Chart Display and Information System), will provide enhanced RN navigating capability is more accurate, efficient and responsive.
The programme is proceeding as planned and the first ship installation is scheduled to commence in June 2004.