Written question asked by Jamie Cann (Labour) on Monday, 5 July 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 14 July 1999. It was answered by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Wednesday, 14 July 1999 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps the Government is taking to improve the UK's airborne surveillance capability.

Answer: Mr. Cann: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps the Government are taking to improve the UK's airborne surveillance capability. [90174] Mr. Spellar: We are improving the UK's airborne surveillance capability in several ways. We have announced our intention to buy ASTOR, a high technology airborne ground surveillance system, which will substantially enhance our current capability. We are also procuring RAPTOR, a long-range reconnaissance senor pod to be fitted to Tornado GR4, which will provide a day/night real time capability. We are modifying the radar in the E-3D sentry aircraft to counter improvements in stealth technology and missile capabilities and we are also upgrading the electronic reconnaissance capability of the Nimrod R. Also, in addition to the Phoenix Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, UAV system, which has already successfully entered service, we are considering procurement of further UAV systems for surveillance purposes.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 90174; 335 c228-9W
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Defence Military aircraft Surveillance Military intelligence Unmanned air systems Sentinel aircraft