14.1 |
Military equipment (post-conflict)
494.
Mr Jeffrey
promised a progress report after the DMB in March,
stating:
“My aim is
to put the Secretary of State and you in a position to make a
clear
early
public statement on FRES and plans for armoured vehicle capability
in the
intervening
period before FRES comes into service, to give confidence that we
are
addressing
the issue responsibly.”
495.
The MOD has
not been able to provide a complete record of the DMB meeting
held
on 9 March,
but the summary of conclusions makes no specific reference to
FRES.260
496.
The summary of
the record did state that the DMB had concluded “that there
was
a stronger
continuing operational requirement for FV430 overhaul and upgrade
than
had been
assumed in STP05”. It was decided that sufficient additional
resources should
be provided
to cover this cost in 2006‑2007 and the longer‑term requirement
would be
reviewed in
STP/EP07.
498.
The minutes of
the meeting stated that Lord Drayson’s:
“… visit to
Land had gone well, and the Minister understood the importance of
FRES;
the
implications of the new ISD [In Service Date]; the need for an
interim solution to
plug the
gap … and the requirement to improve Protected Patrol Vehicles
(PPVs).”
499.
On 17 March,
Mr Jeffrey wrote to Lord Drayson with an update on
armoured
vehicle
capability following the DMB’s discussion of the subject on 9
March.262
500.
Mr Jeffrey
stated that the discussion was “set in the context of the wider
financial
position in
2006/07 and the other demands on our resources; including the
desire to
bring
forward the buy of the 5th C17, higher fuel prices … and a range of
other matters”.
501.
The DMB view
was that “the majority of issues should be resolved in the
wider
EP/STP
planning round, but that there were grounds for taking some
decisions early”.
That
included replacing Saxon and the overhaul of the FV430 series of
vehicles “to
provide a
better capability for mechanised infantry”. The resources for the
conversion
of vehicles
for use on Op TELIC would be sought through a UOR.
502.
Mr Jeffrey
said that the DMB had discussed the “high priority” of
ensuring
FRES was
delivered “as early as possible”. Lt Gen Fulton was
tasked to prioritise
the
requirement for FRES funding in 2006/07 in the context of “other
capability
requirements,
and any other cost pressures on the Equipment Programme” in
2006/07.
503.
Other issues
relating to armoured vehicle capability were to be taken
forward
within
STP/EP07.
260
Minutes, 9
March 2006, Defence Management Board meeting.
261
Minutes, 16
March 2006, Executive Committee of the Army Board
meeting.
262
Minute
PS/PUS [MOD] to Min(DP), 17 March 2006, ‘Armoured Vehicle
Capability – DMB Decisions’.
83