HC Deb 01 March 1967 vol 742 c475
1. Rear-Admiral Morgan Giles

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what aircraft of the Royal Air Force will be available for the close support of ground troops in the 1970s.

The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. Denis Healey)

A combination of Phantom and V/STOL P1127(R.A.F.) aircraft will be used initially in this rôle. A strike version of the Anglo-French Jaguar will be introduced subsequently to replace the Phantom. The primary rôle of the Phantom will then become air defence, in replacement of the Lightning.

Rear-Admiral Morgan Giles

Can the Secretary of State say how these aircraft will get to overseas theatres when they are needed?

Mr. Healey

Some of them will fly direct, without in-flight refuelling; others will have in-flight refuelling.