Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to paragraph II.1.5 of the Invitation to Tender for Multi-Mode Radio, for what reason his Department has a requirement for National Security Agency accredited Handheld and Manpack software-defined combat net radios; and whether that requirement would prohibit UK companies from bidding for the Multi-Mode Radio contract.

The requirement for a National Security Agency approved radio is driven by the waveforms required, coupled with the requirement to be able to communicate up to SECRET. A number of UK companies have bid for the Multi-Mode Radio contract, responding to both the Pre-Qualification Questionnaire and Invitation to Negotiate.