§ 14. Mr. ColvinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will make an announcement on the awarding of the contract for radar for the European fighter aircraft.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkDiscussions on the choice of radar are continuing between the four nations participating in the European fighter aircraft project. An announcement will be made as soon as they have been concluded.
§ Mr. ColvinWill my hon. Friend confirm that in the European fighter aircraft we have a winner with, for a change, a choice of two excellent radar systems, both of which have considerable British industrial components? Following discussions with their West German counterparts, are Ministers any nearer reaching a decision about which radar to choose?
§ Mr. ClarkYes, my hon. Friend is right to draw the attention of the House to the fact that there is a British industrial element in both bids. The MFD 2000 system is subject to a technical evaluation at present and we expect the results of that in the middle of next month. The national armament directors will then consider the matter and report to the Secretaries of State of the partner countries.