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Defence Policy

Yes, of course I will. Ensuring that we have sustainable equipment and that we can service and maintain it at reasonable cost over the duration of its lifetime is a very important part of the overall procurement exercise. I can certainly give the hon. Gentleman that assurance. Before I was very nicely interrupted, I was saying that we have invested significant additional resources in re-equipping our forces, particularly in the operational theatres in which they are active. Just yesterday, my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister announced a further £700 million of investment in almost 700 new protected mobility vehicles, which will be crucial to our mission in Afghanistan.