Tornado (Hansard, 18 June 2002)

§ Mr. Jenkin
To ask the Secretary of State or Defence what the cost has been of the Tornado F3 MLU programme. [62236]

§ Mr. Ingram
The Tornado F3 fleet has not undergone a Mid-Life Update programme.
A capability sustainment programme to integrate the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) and Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) onto the aircraft is nearing completion at a cost of £125 million.
In addition, the Tornado F3 fleet is currently undergoing, or planned to undergo, a number of upgrade activities that will maintain the aircraft's operational capability for the remainder of its in-service life. The work comprises integration of secure communication 198W equipment, a Successor Identification Friend or Foe system, an instrumentation enhancement to aid training and a programme to maximise the effectiveness of the AMRAAM, and will cost an additional £125 million.

§ Mr. Jenkin
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects Tornado fighters fitted with AMRAAM to be operational; and what radar system will be fitted to such Tornado fighters. [62230]

§ Dr. Moonie
There are currently 94 Tornado F3 aircraft operational with Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles.
The current radar system fitted to the Tornado F3 is the Foxhunter Air Intercept radar known as the A124. There are no plans to change it.

§ Mr. Jenkin
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the AMRAAM missiles fitted to Tornado F3 aircraft are able to be used to their full capabilities. [62238]

§ Dr. Moonie
A capability sustainment programme to integrate the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) on the Tornado F3 aircraft is nearing completion. A further programme of work to optimise the effectiveness of AMRAAM is currently under way to enable the Tornado F3 fully to exploit the missile's capability. This work is due to be completed in the spring of next year.