Mr. DuncanSmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment his Department has made of the Israeli Arrow missile system. [117561]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 3 April 2000]: A Pre-feasibility Programme (PFP) that was undertaken in 1994–1996 examined possible options, cost and timescales for ballistic missile defence of the UK and its deployed forces. This was carried out on behalf of the Ministry of Defence by a consortium led by what was then BAe. In considering potential system architectures, the PFP examined publicly available material on all government funded BMD capable weapons systems. The Arrow weapon system was assessed within this limited context.