§ 11. Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on progress regarding the introduction into operational deployment with the Royal Air Force of the air defence variant of the Tornado.
§ Mr. StanleyThe first two Tornado F2s, the air defence variant, were delivered to RAF Coningsby last week and are being used for ground training and familiarisation. As planned, flying training for the operational conversion unit will start next year and the aircraft will enter squadron service in 1986.
§ Mr. LathamIn view of recent critical comments in the United States about Tornado, will my right hon. Friend stress its importance to the Western defence effort and the importance of the existing strike version?
§ Mr. StanleyI am aware of the press reports to which my hon. Friend refers. I assure him that the RAE is extremely well satisfied with the capability and survivability of the Tornado. As for performance, it is significant that Tornado GR1s won two of the three major trophies in the recent Strategic Air Command bombing competiton staged by the United States air force.
§ Mr. Robert AtkinsWhy do we allow Turkey to be an ally within NATO when the Government are not prepared to sell Tornado to that country?
§ Mr. StanleyI do not think that my hon. Friend is entirely correct, but if my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Defence Procurement can add further to the information about the sale, I am sure that he will do so.