MoD Reponds to MPs

, Defence Procurement Minister Lord Drayson today gave his reaction to a Defence Select Committee report on a project to provide a new fleet of armoured vehicles for the Army. 
 
Lord Drayson said: 
 
“In all Defence procurement projects it is MoD policy not to set an in-service date for a new piece of equipment before a thorough risk assessment is carried out and the main investment decision taken. Our decision not to set an in-service date at this point on the FRES project is consistent with this policy. 
 
“We accept that the FRES project has taken several years to get to this point and that the Army's requirement has changed during this time. However, recent experience on operations in Iraq and Afghanistan and recent developments in vehicle technology and protection systems drove the need to review the FRES procurement strategy in 2006. This was to ensure we deliver the best possible vehicles able to meet the operational needs of the British Army through life. 
 
“This review highlighted the need for open systems architecture and the vital importance of UK residence for intellectual property underpinning the FRES systems, a point praised by the Committee. The review was completed last year. The procurement strategy has now been announced and an Expressions of Interest Request was published earlier this month. 
 
“We are now making rapid progress on the FRES programme – candidate vehicles will undertake proving trials run by the Army this summer and the winning vehicles will be selected in November 2007. It is essential to carry out this detailed assessment and drive out risk before the major investment decision is taken. 
 
“The FRES programme, which will deliver the future Army's armoured fighting and utility vehicles in the long term, should not be confused with the recent urgent operational requirements to procure additional protected patrol vehicles to complement Snatch Land Rovers in Iraq and Afghanistan. 
 
The recent and very rapid procurement of vehicles such as MASTIFF, VECTOR and BULLDOG, is not related to the FRES requirement. These patrol vehicles are important additions to the capabilities at the disposal of commanders, but are separate from the FRES programme.”