§ Mr. Speedasked the Secretary of State for Defence when he now expects the first Nimrod airborne early warning aircraft to become fully operational; and what slippage this represents on the original forecast date.
§ Mr. PattieIt is not the practice to disclose operational information of this kind.
§ Mr. Soamesasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the cost of the Nimrod airborne and control system programme.
§ Mr. PattieIt is not our policy to divulge individual defence programme costs.
§ Mr. Soamesasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the performance of the radar systems to be installed in the Nimrod airborne warning and Control system.
§ Mr. PattieThe radar system as currently installed in a Nimrod AEW Mk 3 development aircraft meets the minimum performance requirements for this stage of the programme; development work continues.
§ Mr. Soamesasked the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the delivery of the first operational Nimrod airborne warning and control system.
§ Mr. PattieWe expect to take delivery of the first production system for operational service this year.