§ Mr. Cohenasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has received any recent evidence that the United States AWACS early warning and control system which Her Majesty's Government are purchasing would be vulnerable to missiles which home in on radar systems; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. SainsburyWhile—like any aircraft—the AWACS system is not invulnerable to attack, I am fully satisfied that it will be highly survivable in performing its operational tasks. Considerable work has been done to develop appropriate tactics to reduce the aircraft's vulnerability. Its radar range is such that it can be positioned in protected airspace and still provide airborne early warning and direct friendly fighters.