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Armed Forces: Steven Roberts Inquiry

Volume 688: debated on Monday 8 January 2007

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the recommendations in the published findings of the board of inquiry into the death of Sergeant Steven Roberts in March 2003, how many sets of Osprey body armour the defence clothing integrated project team have produced to date; how many of these sets have been deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq; and when the delivery of the total 20,550 sets is expected to be completed. [HL1013]

Some 15,550 sets of Osprey body armour have been procured to date, all of which have been deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq. Delivery of the remaining 5,000 sets, which are for pre-deployment training and maintenance stocks, is due to be completed by 31 January 2007.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the recommendations in the published findings of the board of inquiry into the death of Sergeant Steven Roberts in March 2003, how many Kestrel body armour systems have been produced to date; and what percentage of these are in use in Iraq and Afghanistan. [HL1014]

A total of 4,600 sets of Kestrel body armour have been procured to date. All have been deployed: 3,500 sets are in Iraq and the remaining 1,100 are in Afghanistan. Kestrel is provided to top cover sentries, vehicle drivers and commanders. It is not suitable for dismounted tasks such as patrolling on foot for which we have brought in the modular Osprey body armour system.