HL Deb 21 March 1997 vol 579 cc128-9WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether an operational requirement for a theatre missile defence capability in NATO has been identified; whether NATO's Air Command and Control System intends to develop such a capability; what is the "ACCS level one phase", concerning which NATO is reported to have issued a request for proposals to industry in December 1996; and whether the costs of these developments have been presented to the parliaments of NATO's European members.

Earl Howe

NATO nations are presently considering a need for a theatre ballistic missile defence capability for deployed forces. Work will consider to what extent NATO's Air Command and Control System (ACCS) can contribute to Alliance capability in this area. The first ACCS level of capability includes software acquisition, installation and testing of a range of facilities in a number of operational sites. The costs for any potential NATO theatre missile defence capability are currently being assessed.