asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the latest developments on (a) the selection of the utility vehicle integrator for the Future Rapid Effects System (FRES); and (b) the outcome of the FRES utility vehicle design competition. [HL2790]

The competition to select the utility vehicle integrator is at the pre-qualification stage. Pre-qualification questionnaires were released to industry in October 2007. Assessment of the responses from industry is complete and the results are being considered.

In November 2007 the MoD announced that the utility vehicle trials had resulted in a recommendation being made, based primarily on technical design considerations. Further work was then undertaken to consider the commercial implications of the three competing designs.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether there is any international collaboration on the Future Rapid Effects System procurement programme. [HL2792]

The acquisition strategy for future phases of the Future Rapid Effects System programme, including an assessment of the scope for and benefits of international collaboration, will be approved when the main investment decisions of the respective vehicle families are made.

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the current Future Rapid Effects System procurement plan. [HL2795]

Our aim is to achieve the earliest possible delivery to the Army of a FRES capability that will meet its needs through life, at best value for money. To achieve this we continue to drive the implementation of the FRES acquisition strategy. The approved approach is to establish an alliance led by the department, which will be supported by a strong and independent industrial player acting in the role of System of Systems Integrator (SOSI), delivering a coherent, through life FRES capability.

The strategy includes a strong competitive element, with the SOSI (Thales/Boeing), the vehicle design and the vehicle integrator all selected by competition. Further competitions will select the designs for other specialist variants.