asked Her Majesty’s Government:

What is the training budget for the Bowman Combat Infrastructure Platform Programme, broken down by (a) initial training; (b) regular continuation training; and (c) training for capability additions. [HL3116]

The training budget for the Bowman Combat Infrastructure Platform is not held centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost. The Bowman contract was awarded to General Dynamics United Kingdom Ltd on a firm-price basis for the complete system, including initial conversion training, following a competitive tendering exercise. There was no requirement to provide discrete firm prices for the various elements of the Bowman Combat Infrastructure Platform (BCIP) programme.

BCIP continuation training will be delivered using existing military training establishments and schools, as well as new generic training facilities. Training for the less specialist courses at all levels has been absorbed into existing course syllabi by the appropriate arms and service directors. Consequently, the department is unable to break out specific BCIP training costs.

Training for capability additions will be an ongoing requirement throughout the in-service life of Bowman. For the next capability addition, BCIP5, General Dynamics United Kingdom Ltd is contracted to develop the additional training material.