Armoured Fighting Vehicles: Procurement

Mr. Wallace
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the future rapid effect system programme will include a tracked variant of the (a) utility, (b) reconnaissance and (c) heavy vehicles.

Mr. Ingram
[holding answer 21 June 2007]: It is not envisaged that the FRES utility vehicle will be a tracked vehicle. The FRES reconnaissance and heavy requirements are however, expected to be predominantly met by tracked vehicles, although decisions regarding these vehicles will not be finalised until the main investment decision has been taken.

Mr. Wallace
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) development and (b) procurement programmes are being funded by his Department for the securing of effective armour for UK armed forces land vehicles.

Mr. Ingram
I refer the hon. Member to the answer which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence gave on 18 June 2007, Official Report, column 1443W.