§ Mr. Goodhewasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the types of aircraft at present in use in the Far East Air Force, the dates on which they came into service, the types of aircraft with which it is intended to replace them, and the dates on which these new aircraft will come into service.
§ Mr. HealeyThe following table gives the information required on the types of aircraft at present in use in the Far East Air Force:
Dates on which the aircraft entered service Current types of aircraft a. with the Royal Air Force b. with the Far East Air Force Argosy C1 1962 1963 Belvedere HC1 1961 1962 Beverley C1 1956 1959 Canberra bomber aircraft B15 1961 1962 Canberra photographic reconnaissance aircraft PR7 1953 1960 Hastings C1/2 1948 1957 Hunter GA9 1960 1961 Javelin FAW9 1960 1961 Pioneer: Single 1953 1953 Pioneer: Twin 1958 1959 Shackleton Mk. 2 1953 1962 Sycamore HR14 1954 1954 ValettaC1 1949 1951 Whirlwind HAR10 1962 1963 It has previously been announced that the Beverley and the Hastings transport aircraft are due to be replaced in general R.A.F. service by the C130; the Hunter ground attack aircraft by the Phantom and the P1127 (R.A.F.), and the Javelin fighter by the Lightning. On present plans this will involve a major re-equipment programme in the Far East Air Force over the next few years. In general decisions have still to be taken on the replacement of other types of aircraft at present in use in the Far East Air Force.