Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Army Equipment

Monday 16 March 2020 · 5 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 5 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Army Equipment modernisation includes nine key projects totalling 17 billion over ten years.
  • The Department has hit budget for the past two years and is reviewing budgets to address funding crises.
  • The integrated review aims to ensure effective equipment and operational strategies, not just cost-cutting.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Toby Perkins Lab Leicestershire North West
Defence
Context

The Army conducts annual assessments to ensure adequate equipment for future needs, including major projects like Ajax and Boxer vehicles.

Question

If the range and capability of our battle tanks and armoured vehicles are inferior to that of potential adversaries, it is difficult for world-class armed forces to continue operating in that sphere. Will the Minister assure the House that the Challenger 2 and Warrior programmes will be brought forward at the earliest possible opportunity?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

We need the very best equipment for our armed forces. The Army has nine key projects for equipment modernisation totalling £17 billion over ten years, including assessment phase advances for Challenger 2 and demonstration phase progress for Warrior.

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Q2 Nia Griffith Lab Llanelli
Defence
Context

The National Audit Office reports a potential funding shortfall of £13 billion, which affects Army, Navy and RAF equipment.

Question

Given the third time that the NAO has deemed the plan unaffordable, when will the Minister get to grips with this funding crisis?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

We are getting to grips with it right now. The Department hit budget this year and last year, we constantly review budgets, have shrunk the gap significantly and had additional assistance from the Treasury.

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Q3 Nia Griffith Lab Llanelli
Defence
Context

Reports suggest Army facing further cuts in the integrated review.

Question

Can the Minister guarantee that the integrated review will not be another cost-cutting exercise, leaving armed forces short of needed equipment?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

The integrated review is important and we need to take firm decisions at pace. It looks at our place in the world and how we operate, not just cut costs but ensure effective equipment.

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Q4 Tobias Ellwood Con Bournemouth East
Defence
Context

The Defence Committee visited Army HQ in Andover, discussing issues like Warrior and Challenger. The Minister mentioned the integrated review.

Question

Given the visit to Army HQ and efforts to tackle the coronavirus, may I invite Ministers to delay the integrated review until the new year?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

The integrated review is important and we need to take firm decisions at pace. However, events will obviously be considered if necessary.

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Q5 Mark Pritchard Con The Wrekin
Defence
Context

A visit to Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land, part of the Boxer contract consortium.

Question

Does the Minister think Shropshire defence manufacturing will feature in his decision making on Challenger 2? Will the main decision gate still be this autumn?

Answer from Jeremy Quin

We are mindful of extraordinary skills in the constituency, and visited many apprentices. We are in assessment phase for Challenger 2, with a future date decision on next steps.

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