§ 26. Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence what action is being taken to improve the air defence system of the United Kingdom.
§ Dr. GilbertWithin the last eighteen months we have announced major orders for improved air to air missiles, a wider deployment of surface to air missiles, an increase of a third in our airborne tanker force, a go-ahead to the important Nimrod airborne early warning programme, and our intention to order the advanced Tornado F2 aircraft to replace the Lightning and Phantom fighters.620W Additionally, we intend to update our radar warning and control system.