§ 4. Mr. James Davidsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence how naval helicopters, with an anti-submarine or surface-attack rôle, are equipped for selfdefence against long-range fighter/reconnaissance aircraft or surface-to-air missiles.
§ Mr. MasonNaval helicopters are part of a ship's offensive armament and are normally covered by its defensive armament, and by sea or land-based aircraft.
§ Mr. DavidsonIs the Minister satisfied that they are sufficiently well defended in view of their extreme vulnerability, particularly in view of the fact that we are running down the carrier force? How are they to be covered against the type of attack mentioned in my Question when they are out of range of land-based aircraft?
§ Mr. MasonThis is the position for the future. At the moment they are completely covered by the aircraft carrier force, by strike aircraft and, in some instances, by shore-based aircraft. In our planned future Fleet all three classes of vessels will have helicopters and missile armament as well.