§ Mr. Warrenasked the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if the current evaluation of the United States AWACS aircraft is being conducted with the aim of meeting the United Kingdom's air defence requirements, or with the aim of meeting the continental European air defence requirement;
(2) if the current evaluation of the United States AWACS aircraft is being conducted in a radar jamming environment.
§ Mr. William RodgersThe United Kingdom Air Defence Region forms an integral part of NATO's collective air defence system. NATO is currently evaluating a number of airborne early warning systems with a view to improving radar coverage at low levels. A prototype Boeing E3A Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft is currently visiting Europe for demonstration purposes in connection with these studies. Resistance to jamming will be an important factor in any choice of AEW aircraft, although no extensive evaluation of this particular characteristic is planned during the current short demonstration visit.