§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the fully trained and operational requirement is for(a) RAF pilots to fly Sea Harriers and (b) Fleet Air Arm pilots to fly Harrier GR7; and how many there are at present in each case. [10598]
§ Mr. IngramJoint Force Harrier (JFH) operates Harrier GR7 flown by RAF pilots and Sea Harrier FA2 flown by RN pilots. GR7 is a ground attack aircraft, whereas FA2 is predominantly air defence. Each complements the other so that JFH has a rounded operational capability. Both RN and RAF aircrew are capable of operating from aircraft carriers in their own aircraft type, and both work closely together when embarked in carriers and when ashore. There is, though, no operational requirement for pilots of one Harrier aircraft type to fly the other. If there was a requirement for GR7 pilots to fly the FA2 or vice versa this could be achieved once operational conversion training had been completed. However, there exists an RAF/RN-wide pilot exchange programme which shares operational experience by providing flying tours with the other service. On this programme, currently there are(a) two RAF pilots flying the Sea Harrier, both from the Tornado F3, and (b) one RN (but non-Sea Harrier) pilot training to fly the Tornado GR4.