HC Deb 05 May 1999 vol 330 cc375-6W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on(a) the level of Yugoslav air defence capability and (b) the threat to NATO aircraft from (i) non-portable, (ii) towed and (iii) self-propelled air defence weaponry, following the initial NATO air campaign. [82474]

Mr. George Robertson

The Yugoslav air defence capability has been and will continue to be damaged by the NATO air campaign. All Yugoslav operational air defence weapons are portable to a greater or lesser extent. Their towed anti aircraft guns present a limited threat to NATO's high altitude air attacks. These guns and their self-propelled air defence weapons still pose a credible threat to NATO aircraft, if operating at low level. NATO continues to take appropriate measures to minimise the threat.

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Yugoslav Air Force (i) MIG-29s, (ii) MIG-21s, (iii) ORAOs and (iv) Galebs are confirmed destroyed by NATO; how many were estimated non-operational before NATO operations over Serbia began; and if he will make a statement on the estimated impact of NATO action to date on Yugoslav Air Force capability. [82473]

Mr. George Robertson

We estimate that NATO has destroyed 70 out of 450 aircraft of all types. This includes seven MiG-29s, 16 MIG-21s and 35 ORAO/GALEB aircraft. Between 5 per cent. and 10 per cent. of their aircraft might have been non-operational before the NATO campaign began. The Yugoslav Air Force continues to fly a limited number of combat missions but NATO action has had a considerable impact on its capability.