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Ministry of Defence;Defence Procurement Agency

Answer

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what targets were set for MINDER Route Proving during the competitive assessment phase; what plans there are for the development of a mix of sensors for locating and neutralising anti-tank and anti-personnel mines; and if he will make a statement. [139656] Dr. Moonie: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member. Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 28 November 2000: I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about targets set for the MINDER Route Proving System and the development of sensors for the neutralisation of mines. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. MINDER will be developed incrementally and each variant will have progressively more demanding targets to meet. Initially MINDER (RP) should be able to detect all basic surface laid landmines together with most buried mines. The later variants of the equipment should detect all buried landmines, and have an ability to detect off route mines. The Competitive Assessment Phase (CAP) will identify the mix of detection sensors that MINDER will have. Research so far suggests that it is likely to be a combination of metal detectors, ground penetrating radars and infra red detectors. Explosive detection systems may also be used.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

357 c493W; 139656

Session

1999-00

Subjects

Defence equipment Bomb disposal Landmines Antitank missiles

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk