HC Deb 17 May 2004 vol 421 c671W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress with the Watchkeeper programme. [173372]

Mr. Ingram

The Watchkeeper programme will deliver, incrementally, an intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability using tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Proposals for the demonstration and manufacture phase of the Watchkeeper project were received from Northrop Grumman and Thales on 18 March 2004 and are currently being assessed. The main investment decision is due later this year.