Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 24 July 2024 to Question 69090 on Challenger Tanks: Supply Chains, what proportion of the (a) UK Challenger 3 work will be in the tier 2 supply chain and (b) lead consortium work will be undertaken in the North East.

The Manufacturing phase contracts for the tier 2 supply chain are being agreed by RBSL, the Prime Contractor. The programme will award approximately 60% of supply chain contracts to the UK with a significant contribution from the North East.

RBSL have sites in Telford and Newcastle; the proportion of work undertaken at each site is a matter for RBSL.