§ 23. Mr. Wilkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made in conjunction with other European nations in the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation towards the definition and development of a new anti-submarine warfare helicopter.
§ Mr. SpeedThe Royal Navy and the Italian Navy have broadly similar requirements for a future anti-submarine warfare158W helicopter, and officials of the two countries are discussing the possibility of collaborating in a joint programme. The participation of France and Germany in such a programme will also be considered in the context of a wider European collaboration in helicopters. It is too early to say what might be the outcome.