I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 113 together.
I am pleased to announce that a contract was entered into last week between my Department and Mowag of Switzerland for the supply to the Defence Forces of forty armoured personnel carriers, initial spares, special tools and training courses. The signing of the contract on 30 November 1999 was the culmination of a lengthy competitive process to select the vehicle most suited to the needs of the Defence Forces.
The 40 vehicles, known as Piranha 111H 8 x 8, will be manufactured as 34 troop carrier variants, four command variants, one recovery variant and one ambulance variant. The total cost of the contract, which will be spread over five years, is in the region of £40 million, including VAT. The payment schedule is as follows: