The Report
of the Iraq Inquiry
asked Brig
Moore to identify the options to fill this gap until FRES was able
to enter
service.
476.
In considering
whether PPVs could offer a solution, Brig Moore outlined
the
differences
between the FRES APC requirement and PPV capabilities:
“… PPV
[sic] has a limited degree of protection and mobility, and is
designed around
a patrol
mission of up to 8 hours. These vehicles are not organic to units,
but are
issued in
theatre as required. Originally designed as a specialist NI
capability, the
requirement
for PPV in all theatres is becoming enduring …”
477.
Brig Moore
wrote that the in service PPV capability was provided by
Snatch
vehicles,
which were being upgraded and completion was expected by August
2006.
The Vector
programme would deliver “about 80” vehicles. The original
requirement had
been for
153 but “further risk” had been taken “for reasons of
affordability”. Vector would
not replace
Snatch and its protection levels would be “less than
Saxon”.
“Whilst new
PPVs cannot fill the APC gap, they may help to mitigate its
impact,
especially
on operations in the short term. The longer term plan for PPVs is
currently
being
scoped by DCI(A) [Brig Inshaw].”
479.
Brig Moore
concluded that the “most effective way” to address the issue was
by
“a
combination of upgrading and managing in‑service AVs”. That would
have an impact
on the AV
fleet, but further work was necessary to “confirm the most
operationally
appropriate
and cost effective mix” and to assess how much risk could be
carried.
480.
Gen Jackson
stated at the meeting that the Army was “disappointed by
the
conclusions”
of the review, “but it was vital that ECAB understood how such
conclusions
had been
reached and the implications for the in‑service armoured vehicle
fleet”.253
•
“FRES was
the Army’s highest priority and that, given the future threat,
the
requirement
was fully justified. It would be important to get the DMB engaged
in
the whole
Armoured Vehicle Fleet issue so that it was seen as a priority in
terms
of
resources.”
•
The FRES
Fleet Review Outcome Paper with some amendments, including
that:
{{The
programme should “aim to achieve the earliest possible” ISD
and
full
operating capability by “challenging traditional acquisition models
and
seeking an
incremental introduction of capability”.
{{It would
be necessary to update and upgrade FV430 and CVR(T)
and
replace
Saxon.
253
Minutes, 19
January 2006, Executive Committee of the Army Board
meeting.
80