Douglas Barrie/LONDON

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) is considering dropping procurement of the final element of a European anti-tank- missile programme, having already spent almost £500 million ($820 million) on the project.

The MoD is reviewing the future of its involvement with the medium-range (MR) Trigat laser-guided anti-tank missile. The UK also is committed to completing development of the long-range (LR) Trigat helicopter-launched anti-tank missile, although it has indicated that it will not purchase the weapon.

The MoD declines to comment, beyond confirming that it is "-examining the way forward, although this is not yet complete".

The Euromissile Dynamics Group (EMDG) - the consortium of European companies developing the Trigat, which includes Matra BAe Dynamics - had to resubmit its "industrialisation and production offer" to the UK earlier this month after the MoD rejected its first proposal. EMDG sources expect the UK to accept its new offer, believing that it addresses the concerns raised. Trigat partners include Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK.

The first EMDG proposal was rejected by the UK in part because of what was deemed to be an unacceptably low production workshare offer for the UK, which has been one of the largest contributors to the MR Trigat programme and was expected to be one of the biggest purchasers. Aside from industrial issues, the MoD also admits to continuing technical "concerns " about the MR Trigat.

The MoD is looking at alternatives, including the Israeli Rafael Gill. Sources suggest that the MoD may watch live firings in Israel.

The weapon is already five years behind schedule and the UK has had to revise its deployment plans, aiming to introduce the MR Trigat into service in 2000, to replace the British Army's Milan anti-tank missile. Army sources now consider the 2000 target date as unrealistic, suggesting that the missile is unlikely to be deployed before the year 2003.

The MoDdeclines to comment on the projected in-service date, or the overall cost of the MR Trigat project to the UK. Along with the related LR Trigat, which the British Army rejected when it selected the McDonnell Douglas Apache attack helicopter with its Longbow Hellfire missiles, estimates put UK spending on the project at £400-£500 million.

Source: Flight International