§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the likely preferred variant type of Joint Strike Fighter for the future aircraft carriers. [58677]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Ministry of Defence is currently undertaking a detailed evaluation of the Short-Take-OW Vertical Landing and Carrier Variants of the Joint Strike Fighter to establish which would best meet our needs. A decision is planned to be taken by autumn this year and an announcement will then be made.