14.1 |
Military equipment (post-conflict)
narrative
around our intent, which should also give confidence to deployed
service
men and
women that vehicle vulnerabilities are being
addressed.”
788.
A discussion
followed about the options for replacing the current fleet of
light
armoured
and unarmoured vehicles “in full” and it was agreed that those
should be
pursued.
The deployment of Ridgback into theatre was “Ministers’ first
priority”.
789.
Mr Browne
“emphasised the need for a clear and coherent public
narrative”
about what
had been achieved and what was being done “to enhance the
robustness”
of the PPV
fleet. He asked for a Written Ministerial Statement to be produced
before
Parliament
rose for the recess on 22 July.
790.
A Written
Ministerial Statement on protected mobility was not made
until
791.
Mr John
Hutton, who had succeeded Mr Browne as Defence Secretary
earlier
in October,
stated:
“We have
already achieved a great deal in improving the protected mobility
options
available
to commanders on operations. Mastiff is unquestionably a success
story.
For its
role, Mastiff is delivering the very highest levels of protection
available
anywhere in
the world. Where it can be used, and its size and weight mean it
has
its
limitations, it is clearly the vehicle of choice. That is why the
Prime Minister
announced a
further order of these vehicles last year …
“It is not
only through Mastiff that we are delivering a world class protected
vehicle
capability;
we are also delivering Ridgback. Using the smaller Cougar 4x4
chassis,
and
innovative, cutting‑edge UK armour technologies, we will be able to
deliver
protection
levels close to that of Mastiff in a package that is able to better
access
urban
areas, increasing the survivability of troops in these roles
…”
792.
On Snatch Land
Rovers, Mr Hutton said:
“Inevitably,
any statement on protected mobility must address the role of
the
Snatch Land
Rover, a vehicle which has received considerable criticism. First,
to
be
absolutely clear, I can inform the House that – in addition to the
regular reviews
that are
conducted into protected mobility – senior operational commanders
were
asked to
specifically consider the requirement for the Snatch Land Rover and
its
importance
to operations. The response was clear: commanders need a vehicle
of
the size,
weight and profile of Snatch Land Rover, capable of transporting
men, to
fulfil
their tasks in theatre. Further, the availability of such a vehicle
is considered
mission
critical …”
793.
Mr Hutton
said that that did not mean there was “no action” to be taken on
Snatch.
There was a
programme in place to learn lessons from the development of Mastiff
and
416
House of
Commons, Official
Report, columns
28WS‑30WS.
135