---

Ministry of Defence;Defence Procurement Agency

Answer

Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contract the Defence Procurement Agency has awarded for the next phase of the vehicle-based Mine Detection, Neutralisation and Route Proving System; which companies bid for the contract; what time is set for completion of the programme; what is the total cost of the programme; and if he will make a statement. [138977] 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 21 November 2000: I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the vehicle based Mine-Detection, Neutralisation and Route Proving System. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. On 30 and 31 October this year, the Defence Procurement Agency awarded contracts to Ultra Electronics Ltd. of High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire and to Hunting Engineering Ltd. of Ampthill, Bedfordshire respectively, for the Competitive Assessment Phase (CAP) of the Mine Detection, Neutralisation and Route Marking System Programme known as MINDER. Each contract is worth £6 million VAT inclusive. A bid was also received from BAE Systems (RO Defence, Leicester) which was not successful in the detailed tender assessment process. The initial capability for MINDER is planned to enter service in 2005, with incremental capability growth up to 2010. The purpose of the CAP is to determine the level of system performance that can be achieved in these timescales. The total cost of the MINDER programme is estimated to be £344 million.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

357 c104W; 138977

Session

1999-00

Subjects

Contracts Costs Defence equipment Bomb disposal Landmines Procurement

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

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