§ 8. Mr. Tony McNulty (Harrow, East)If he will make a statement on Britain's Tomahawk land attack capability. [65531]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. John Spellar)Following a successful trials firing, the Tomahawk land attack missile entered service with the Royal Navy last December. TLAM represents a major step forward in capability, enabling precision attacks to be undertaken at long range against selected targets, with a minimal risk to our own forces.
§ Mr. McNultyWill my hon. Friend join me in congratulating the Royal Navy on its recent display of the Tomahawk capability? Will he elaborate on how that capability fits into a post-strategic defence review defence policy framework?
§ Mr. SpellarTLAM offers a potent and credible threat to persuade an aggressor to desist from hostile activity. I join my hon. Friend in congratulating the Royal Navy and all those involved on having brought that capability into service in only a little more than three years.