HC Deb 07 July 1986 vol 101 c87W
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has as to the deployment by the Soviet Union of Backfire bombers with long-range cruise missiles.

Mr. Stanley

There is no evidence that long-range (strategic) cruise missiles are currently deployed on the Backfire bomber.

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what information he has as to the Soviet Union's production rate of the Backfire bomber and as to whether the Backfire bomber constitutes a strategic intercontinental bomber.

Mr. Stanley

The Soviet Union is assessed to produce the Backfire bomber at a rate of about 30 per year. As to whether the Backfire is a strategic system, I refer the hon. Member to what is said on this point in paragraph 17 of annex A of volume 1 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1986 (Cmnd. 9763–1)."

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