§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent(a) representations he has received from the NATO Secretary-General and (b) discussions he has had with his European counterparts concerning the possibility for European countries to come together in order to obtain a fleet of C-17s and C-130Js to fill the gap until their orders for the A400M come forward; and if he will make a statement. [51021]
§ Mr. HoonTransport aircraft are one of the capability shortfall areas which European Union member states have identified in the European Capabilities Action Plan (ECAP). The shortfall is primarily in outsized transport aircraft (larger than a C130). An ECAP panel led by the UK is looking at a number of possible options for member states to address this.
Progress against the ECAP is discussed regularly by EU Defence Ministers, most recently at the informal meeting in Zaragoza on 22–23 March. As capability improvements achieved through the ECAP also benefit NATO, there are regular contacts with the NATO Secretary-General on this topic.