§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Defence what efforts were made during the Falklands war to expedite the availability of Nimrod airborne early warning aircraft; when he now expects these aircraft to enter service; and whether any part of their role can be filled by the Nimrod maritime reconnaissance aircraft at present available in the South Atlantic.
§ Mr. BlakerNimrod airborne early warning aircraft could not have been developed in time to a standard which would have supported the operations in the South Atlantic. It is expected that these aircraft will begin to enter service towards the end of 1983. The Nimrod maritime reconnaissance aircraft has a secondary, but very limited, airborne early warning capability.