Written question asked by Desmond Swayne (Conservative) on Friday, 14 December 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 14 January 2002. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Monday, 14 January 2002 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement outlining the extent to which the deficiencies in the Ptarmigan communications system impairs the operational effectiveness of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps. - Includes ref to 377 c829W, 09.01.2002.

Answer: Mr. Swayne: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement outlining the extent to which the deficiencies in the Ptarmigan communications system impairs the operational effectiveness of the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps. [23775] Mr. Ingram: The Ptarmigan system has supported successful operations by the ARRC during recent deployments to Bosnia and Kosovo. However, if advances in modern computing and communications technology are to be fully utilised by our forces, we recognise that Ptarmigan does not offer, in the longer term, the most effective solution. Therefore, plans are in place to replace Ptarmigan through Project Falcon from 2006 onwards. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Dr. Moonie) on 9 January 2002, Official Report, column 829W, for evidence of our continuing commitment to maximising the ARRC's operational effectiveness through the full range of modern and robust communications systems.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 378 c57W; 23775
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Armed forces Army Deployment Communication Telecommunications Rapid reaction forces
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk