§ Sir Timothy Kitsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence what arrangements have been made with the Germans and the Italians with regard to the training flights for Tornado aircraft; whether this will involve any low-flying; and what areas will be affected.
§ Mr. PattieA memorandum of understanding was signed on 8 May 1979 for the joint training of United Kingdom, German and Italian Tornado aircrews at the tri-national Tornado training establishment, RAF Cottesmore. The training syllabus, which will be followed by aircrews from each of the participating nations, will last for four months and will provide for 60 hours of flying for each 15W crew. Some of this will be at low level in the United Kingdom low flying system. Particular routes have yet to be chosen.
The German Government have informed us that they do not now wish to proceed with plans for a joint Anglo-German weapons conversion unit at RAF Honington, and Tornado weapons training will now be undertaken on a national basis.