Maritime Patrol Aircraft

HL Deb 16 January 2003 vol 643 cc62-3WA

Lord Hardy of Wath

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether NATO European member states provide and are likely to provide sufficient marine patrol aircraft to meet the necessary or desirable levels of security over the seas around Europe. [HL903]

Lord Bach

Euopean Allies' national requirements for maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) are a matter for individual nations, although NATO assesses that there is currently no overall shortfall in provision of MPA to the alliance and there are no indications that this position is likely to change. The United Kingdom continues to provide sufficient maritime patrol aircraft for the protection of its territory and territorial waters, and is currently upgrading its fleet to deliver an enhanced surveillance capability.