(MOD) MoD comments on MPs report on equipment acquisition

Minister for Defence Equipment and Support Quentin Davies today commented on a report by MPs covering MOD's performance last year on its biggest equipment projects.

The report by, the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee on the National Audit Office Major Projects Report 2008, is published today. The Government will be responding formally and fully to the Committee's report in due course in a Treasury Minute.

He said:

"Our troops are as well equipped as any professional Armed Forces in the world today. In the period covered by the report we delivered £5.8Bn of equipment to our Armed Forces, from hugely impressive C17 transport planes to mine detectors.

"In addition, some 240 Urgent Operational Requirements were delivered to the front line - including state-of-the-art unmanned aerial vehicles, more Mastiff and Jackal vehicles and improved protection for our fleet of Warrior armoured vehicles. Since the period covered by the report, we've also ordered a further 700 protected vehicles.

"Delays to projects featured in the Major Projects Report, while regrettable, have not led to gaps in our present front line capability."