Written question asked by Iain Duncan Smith (Conservative) on Tuesday, 13 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 March 2001. It was answered by Lord Moonie (Labour) on Monday, 19 March 2001 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make a statement on the meteor missile programme indicating how many missiles each meteor partner is committed to purchase; what estimate his Department has made of the development costs; and if the timetable and supply of test aircraft has been agreed by all the partner nations. - Inc figure. (Holding answer 16 March 2001).

Answer: Mr. Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Meteor missile programme indicating how many missiles each meteor partner is committed to purchase; what estimate his Department has made of the development costs; and if the timetable and supply of test aircraft has been agreed by all the partner nations. [154163] Dr. Moonie: [holding answer 16 March 2001]: Subject to conclusion of a memorandum of understanding with our partner nations, and of satisfactory contractual terms and conditions with Matra BAe Dynamics (MBD) as prime contractor, we hope to be able to place a demonstration and manufacture contract for Meteor in the summer. The total cost of Meteor demonstration is estimated in the region of £600 million. I am withholding information on missile numbers under exemption 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information. Missile numbers of our partner nations are also classified, and withheld under the same exemption. Time scales of the Meteor trials programme and the provision of the test aircraft to support the programme are currently being negotiated with MBD. The final programme, once agreed with MBD, will be subject to approval by the partner nations.

Secondary information