§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many regiments are equipped with Thunderbird missiles; when it is proposed to phase these missiles out of service; and what is to replace them.
§ Mr. Robert C. BrownThere is currently in service one regiment equipped with Thunderbird surface-to-air missiles. Considerations of cost and effectiveness of the Thunderbird missile system show that it is unlikely to be worth while retaining it in service for more than a very few years. As my right hon. Friend outlined in a reply to the hon. Member for Aldershot on 23rd January—[Vol. 884, c.463–4]—studies of possible replacements of this missile system are being undertaken under NATO auspices.