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Defence Procurement

My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is clear that this is money that we have set aside within the defence budget. [Hon. Members: ““Ah.””] Well, if hon. Members had listened, they would have heard the Prime Minister say that clearly. The original Mastiff requirement was a UOR in response to the need for a new protective vehicle. We have decided to provide this ongoing, additional tranche and we are able to provide it out of the defence budget. We are improving our surveillance capability through, for example, our acquisition of the Desert Hawk unmanned air vehicle, which is now operational. Such vehicles weigh less than 7 lb and provide imagery from high above the battlefield, which is making them popular with those who operate them. One individual from 57 Battery, Royal Artillery has said:"““This is a unique piece of equipment which gives commanders the ability to see what is going on behind hills and buildings. That can change the course of a battle.””" Desert Hawk is complementing the larger Hermes 450 tactical unmanned aerial vehicle, which has recently begun operational flying, and the Reaper long-range, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle. The first UK Reaper arrived in theatre in Afghanistan a few days ago and its first operational mission will take place very soon. Despite the complexities, this capability has been achieved in only 15 months, thanks in no small part to co-operation from the US air force. These unmanned aerial vehicles join our existing assets such as Nimrod in sending real-time images routinely to commanders on the ground and will be used for a variety of tasks, including force protection, route clearance, base security and target tracking.