§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what contribution his Department is making to the United States Air Force Command, control and communications project known as the North Atlantic defence system.
§ Mr. SainsburyThe North Atlantic defence system is a NATO programme sponsored by both SACEUR and SACLANT, part of which will comprise communications and command control and information systems. It is eligible for funding through the NATO infrastructure budget, to which the United Kingdom in common with most other NATO nations contributes. Once the systems are in place the United Kingdom would expect operational benefit from NADS and also to make a substantial operational contribution to the effectiveness of the system through links with the United Kingdom air defence ground environment and the E3A AEW aircraft.