The Report of the Iraq Inquiry

520. There was a reference to the SOR produced on 21 February 2005 stating that the

requirement for PPVs on a global and enduring basis was 1,030 vehicles: 877 Snatch

2 and 153 Vector vehicles. The business case stated that financial limitations currently

constrained the numbers to 624 Snatch 2 and 62 Vector vehicles. The risk arising from

the shortfall in vehicles would be managed by “the PPV management committee” but:

“Initially all of the procured vehicles will be deployed on Op HERRICK due to the

improved mobility that Vector offers over Snatch 2A.”270

521. A requirement for 166 PPVs had been endorsed for Op HERRICK. That would

initially be met through the deployment of Snatch 2A but 62 would be withdrawn and

replaced with Vector during roll‑out. The 62 withdrawn vehicles would be “redeployed

to reduce risk taken on expeditionary operations” which was “expected to be Op TELIC”.

522. A commercial off‑the‑shelf option was recommended as the means to deliver the

capability as there were “a number of manufacturers who produce armoured vehicles

which would fulfil the requirements of Project Vector” and some of those vehicles were

in service with “other armed forces”. There was “insufficient time” to develop a bespoke

option.

523. Lord Drayson’s copy of the business case was annotated by his Assistant Private

Secretary on 7 March.271 It stated:

“For info only and low priority. Worth a skim solely because it deals with armoured

vehicles (albeit light ones), is described CinC Land’s ‘highest priority’ and you will

see him on Friday!”

524. On 9 March, Lord Drayson noted: “Following visit let’s get focused on this

project.”272

525. On 14 March, Lord Drayson’s Assistant Private Secretary wrote to the Directorate

of Capability, Resources and Scrutiny (Battlespace Manoeuvre) (DCRS(BM)), noting

the 3 March business case and Lord Drayson’s visit to Land Command.273 Lord Drayson

understood “that the vehicles are required for the March 2007 Afghanistan roulement”,

and it would be important that work was completed “on schedule by September”.

526. The “Project Vector” business case was approved on 21 March.274

270 Snatch 2A was the latest variant of the Snatch Land Rover.

271 Manuscript comment APS/Min(DP) on Paper DEC(SP), 3 March 2006, ‘Business Case – Project

Vector’.

272 Manuscript comment Drayson on Paper DEC(SP), 3 March 2006, ‘Business Case – Project Vector’.

273 Minute APS/Min(DP) to DCRS BM, 14 March 2006, ‘Project Vector – Protected Patrol Vehicles’.

274 Minute DCRS [junior official] to APS/Min(DP), 22 March 2006, ‘Project VECTOR – Protected Patrol

Vehicles’.

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