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Ministry of Defence

Answer

Mr. Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when Tornado GR4s will be given Military Aircraft Release; when the first GR4s will be deployed on operations; and if he will make a statement; [157588] (2) what effect there will be on the United Kingdom's commitments to the Joint Rapid Reaction Force of delay in achieving Military Aircraft Release for the Tornado GR4; and if he will make a statement. [157640] Mr. Spellar: [holding answer 23 April 2001]: The Tornado GR4 achieved an initial Military Aircraft Release (MAR) in July last year and has been used extensively in training since. I refer the right hon. and learned Gentleman to the reply which my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Great Yarmouth (Mr. Wright) on 24 November 2000, Official Report, column 334W. In my answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Preston (Mr. Hendrick) on 25 April 2001, Official Report, column 270W, I announced that, following further development work and extensive trials, the GR4 with improved software achieved a MAR on 10 April and we expect the first aircraft to be deployed operationally shortly. In the meantime, there has been no effect on the United Kingdom's ability to meet its commitments to the Joint Rapid Reaction Force which have been maintained by Tornado GR1, Jaguar and Harrier GR7 aircraft.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

367 c308-9W; 157588;157640

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Software Deployment Procurement Military aircraft Training Testing Rapid reaction forces Tornado aircraft

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk