§ Mr. Alisonasked the Minister of Aviation how many projects for joint research and development between France and the United Kingdom, enjoying Governmental sponsorship or participation, are in hand or in prospect; what those projects are; and when they were first mooted.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsThere are three projects in which the U.K. and French Governments are collaborating in the aviation field, namely Concord, the AJ.168 air-to-ground guided missile, and (in association with Germany) the RB.162 lightweight jet lift engine.
Both Governments are studying the possibility of collaboration on strike/trainer aircraft, the variable geometry concept, an airborne early warning radar aircraft, future military helicopters and, in the civil field, a subsonic short-haul passenger transport aircraft.
A brief announcement is normally made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence or myself as and when joint projects of importance are agreed, but preliminary discussions on possible co-operative projects must necessarily remain confidential to the Governments concerned.