Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 7
7
Paragraph: 39
We do not want to see the Army forced to ensure a lengthy capability gap...
Conclusion
We do not want to see the Army forced to ensure a lengthy capability gap as a consequence of emergent technical and integration issues. The Department should confirm to us that the UK’s main battle tank capability is currently fit for purpose and will remain so until Challenger 2 LEP reaches Full Operating Capability (assuming this project is approved later in 2021).
Paragraph Reference:
39
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
CR2 has been in service for over 20 years and requires modernisation to ensure that it can meet its operational requirements which is why the Army initiated the CR2 LEP. The CR2 LEP has recently been approved and the Army is committed to ensuring that the project runs smoothly and on time, and potentially even brought forward. Following the Integrated Review and CR2 LEP approval the detailed plans for transition from CR2 to Challenger 3 (CR3) are now under development to ensure that the Army can meet current and future outputs with capabilities that are fit for purpose. 3 Based on Australian experience of additional pan Defence Line Of Development costs of procuring Abrams – Australian NAO report: Acquisition of the ABRAMS Main Battle Tank Dated 17 July 2007. 4 Through the MOD’s Joint Requirements Oversight Committee (JROC) and Investment Appraisals Committee 5 On behalf of the IPA and HMT