Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps his Department is taking to procure a class of Future Rapid Effects System Utility vehicles as part of the Armoured Vehicles Programme.

The Ministry of Defence is no longer pursuing a “Future Rapid Effects System” programme. The capability that the Future Rapid Effects System was intended to deliver is now being delivered through other projects, principally the SCOUT Specialist Vehicle (SV) and the Utility Vehicle (UV). SCOUT is the transformational project that will refresh our entire armoured capability and allow us to remain a global first-tier military force.

A £3.5 billion contract to procure 589 SCOUT (SVs) was announced by my right hon .Friend the Secretary of State for Defence (Michael Fallon) on 3 September 2014 (Official Report, column 20WS). The Utility Vehicle programme, including work to define the requirements of the vehicle, is in its early stages.