§ Mr. McNamaraasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement concerning the progress of the proposed European fighter aircraft.
§ Mr. PattieFollowing the agreement by the chiefs of air staff of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom last December of an outline European staff target, the aeronautical industries of the five countries have undertaken exploratory studies into the viability of meeting the joint requirement for a European fighter aircraft on a collaborative basis. Those studies have indicated that such a procurement programme is possible. 451W Accordingly, my right hon. Friend met his French, German, Italian and Spanish counterparts in Madrid yesterday, when they approved the following resolution:
The Defence Ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom met in Madrid on 9 July 1984, and:Noted, with approval, a report by their National Armament Directors.Having agreed, in principle, on the need jointly to develop and produce for 1995 a new European Fighter Aircraft (EFA) and an engine designed for EFA, instructed their officials to set in hand between their national industries a six month technical and industrial feasibility study of such a fighter aircraft weapon system on the basis recommended in the NAD's report. The study on the engine should consider in parallel and in the same time scale the implications of using the new EFA engine programme for a re-engining for the Tornado ADV.Called for a further report from Armament Directors reflecting the results of this feasibility study and making proposals for further work, to be submitted in time for a meeting of Ministers in March 1985.The five-nation feasibility study will begin immediately, and Ministers will meet in Rome in March 1985 to consider its outcome. Progress has therefore been good.