§ Mr. MaginnisTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will expedite the acquisition of the laser-guided Starstreak missile system as an integral element in the Apache helicopter programme; and if he will resist US attempts to delay its acquisition until the infra-red Stinger missile system is modified and tested in an air-to-air role. [9012]
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§ Mr. SpellarThe MOD is currently engaged with the US in a co-operative assessment of the Starstreak missile system in the air-to-air role. Following completion of these trials next year, the Department will assess carefully all the options for meeting the attack helicopter air-to-air requirement and decide the way forward for the UK.