§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the beyond visual range air-to-air missile; and if he will list the project milestones. [68504]
§ Mr. SpellarWe are currently evaluating proposals from Matra BAe Dynamics, on behalf of a European consortium consisting of DASA LFK, Alenia, Saab and CASA, and from Raytheon Systems Ltd., to meet our requirement for a Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile for Eurofighter.
We hope to announce the award of a contract to the successful bidder later this year. In advance of this decision it is not possible to give any useful information on the likely project milestones.
§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the conventionally armed stand off missile; and if he will list the project milestones. [68502]
§ Mr. SpellarThe RAF have a requirement for a highly effective stand off weapon to attack high value fixed targets while minimising the risk of aircraft losses and civilian casualties. Following an international competition involving seven companies, a development and production contract was awarded in February 1997 to Matra BAe (UK) Ltd for their Storm Shadow missile. It is intended to be fitted on Tornado GR4, Harrier GR7 and Eurofighter. The major programme milestone is to finalise development and commence production in the spring/summer of 2001.