Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his planned timetable is for awarding contracts to maintain (a) Challenger 3 tanks and (b) Boxer armoured fighting vehicles.

The support solutions for both the Challenger 3 tanks and the Boxer armoured fighting vehicles will be guided by the Land Integrated Operating Services, a cornerstone of the Land Industrial Strategy. Work is ongoing to develop a robust support solution, which will be contracted and in place prior to Initial Operating Capability in 2027 for Challenger 3.

The UK BOXER programme is part of the wider BOXER NATO Support Partnership, which will enable BOXER support to be in place for the Initial Operation capability in 2025. Once in-service, Boxer vehicles will be primarily maintained by the Field Army; supported by industry supplied Field Service Representative and partners.