HC Deb 26 June 1989 vol 155 c370W
Mr. Boyes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what year the Su-27 Flanker entered service with the Warsaw pact.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The Su-27 Flanker entered service with the Soviet strategic air defence force in 1985.

Mr. Boyes

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what year the Su-27 Flanker is assessed to have acquired a nuclear capability.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

Some Su-27 Flanker aircraft have the primary mission of air superiority in the central region. In fulfilling this role, the aircraft is equally likely to attack targets in the air or on the ground. The Flanker is capable of both nuclear and conventional ground-attack operations, and is assessed to have been so since 1987.

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