§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Tornado GR/4's have a fully operational TIALD system; what percentage of the GR/4 fleet this represents; what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the TIALD system; and if he will make a statement. [107546]
§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 2 February 2000]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the right hon. and learned Member.
371WLetter from John Howe to Mr. Menzies Campbell, dated 11 February 2000:
I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence in which you asked how many Tornado GR4s have a fully operational TIALD system; what percentage of the GR4 fleet this represents; and what assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the TIALD system. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.TIALD is a fully operational and very effective system fitted to a proportion of the Tornado GR 1 fleet. Technical problems have delayed completion of the integration of TIALD onto GR4 aircraft but full operational clearance is expected to be achieved in late 2000.