Written question asked by Gerald Howarth (Conservative) on Monday, 19 February 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 21 February 2007. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 March 2007 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Identification Friend Foe Systems

Question: (3) when he expects the Battlefield Target Identification System to come into service; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The Battlefield Target Identification System (BTIS) is intended to help identify friendly forces, helping to reduce the risk of fratricide. It will complement other systems providing better situational awareness and also contributing to reduced risk of fratricide, such as Bowman and the Coalition Blue Force Situational Awareness Demonstrator, not replace them.The BTIS programme has not yet reached its main investment decision point and in line with our normal practice no in service date will be confirmed until that point. We fully recognise the importance of any UK combat identification system being interoperable with US and other NATO and coalition partners.

Secondary information