To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors were taken into account in deciding the production and delivery timetable of (a) future rapid effects system utility and (b) reconnaissance vehicles; and if he will make a statement. (170022)

Our planning work has been and will continue to be driven by operational priorities, taking account of the experience of current operation, and planned future operations. The Department's first priority remains the delivery of the utility vehicle family. After that, the procurement of a successor reconnaissance vehicle is particularly important.

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what conflict scenario the future rapid effects system has been designed for. (170117)

FRES will provide a rapid intervention capability and will also have wide utility across the spectrum of conflict, supporting three main types of operation:

Rapid intervention;

Peacekeeping and peace enforcement operations;

High intensity war-fighting operations.