§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the(a) objectives and (b) present work programme of the Defence Capability Initiative; and if consideration of theatre-wide missile defences forms part of that programme. [111356]
§ Mr. Hoon[holding answer 22 February 2000]: The Defence Capabilities Initiative (DCI) aims to improve NATO's defence capabilities in order to ensure the effectiveness of multinational operations across the full spectrum of Alliance missions, with a special focus on improving interoperability among Alliance forces (and, where applicable, between Alliance and Partner forces).
The DCI addressed five key areas where NATO has identified shortfalls and deficiencies in force capabilities (deployability and mobility; sustainability and logistics; effective engagement; survivability of forces and infrastructure; and command and control).
The UK strongly supports the DCI. It reflects both the work that we undertook in the Strategic Defence Review and the emerging lessons learned from Kosovo. Successful implementation of the DCI will also assist the achievement of the European Headline Goal, agreed at Helsinki in December 1999. We welcome the progress that has been made so far, and look forward to further substantial capability improvements.
The DCI includes consideration of Theatre Ballistic Missile Defence. UK policy remains as set out in my answer to my hon. Friend on 9 December 1999, Official Report, column 594W.