Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to modernise the (a) Challenger II tank and (b) Warrior armoured fighting vehicle; and if he will make a statement.

The Ministry of Defence has plans to modernise both Challenger 2 and Warrior to retain the Army's capability to field these vehicles to 2035 and 2040 respectively.

A contract was placed in October 2011 for the Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme which will include an improved turret with a new stabilised 40mm cannon and a tailored armour mounting system. The Challenger 2 Life Extension Programme is currently in the concept phase and this will address the key obsolescence issues on the vehicle.