HC Deb 15 January 1990 vol 165 cc123-4W
Mr. Rogers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Fylde (Mr. Jack) on 9 January,Official Report, column 805, whether a decision on the procurement of a radar for the European fighter aircraft will be made prior to his meeting with the West German Defence Minister.

Mr. Alan Clark

No. A decision on the choice of radar is a matter for the four participating countries.

Mr. Rogers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what consideration has been given to the need to maintain sufficient industrial capacity to meet future defence requirements in the procurement plans for the radar for the European fighter aircraft.

Mr. Alan Clark

In accordance with our procurement policy, the objective of the procurement strategy for the radar for the European fighter aircraft (EFA) has been to obtain a radar which meets the operational requirements of the partner nations at the best possible value for money. We always take into account the availability of suppliers to meet future requirements when assessing the value for money offered by competing bids.

Mr. Rogers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the inclusion of aircraft in the CFE negotiations has had any effect on the procurement plans for the European fighter aircraft.

Mr. Alan Clark

There has been no change in the declared production offtake of 250 aircraft.

Mr. Rogers

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether there have been any changes to the projected in-service date of the European fighter aircraft in the last two years.

Mr. Alan Clark

Our aim remains to bring EFA into service in the mid-1990s.

Mr. Strang

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he now expects a decision to be taken on which industrial consortium will be allocated the contract to develop the nose radar for the European fighter aircraft.

Mr. Alan Clark

I cannot forecast when a decision on the choice of radar might be made; but am anxious for the negotiations to be concluded as soon as possible.

Mr. Strang

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has any plans to discuss the development of the European fighter aircraft with the Governments of the other three nations participating in the programme.

Mr. Alan Clark

My right hon. Friend meets his colleagues in the EFA project at regular intervals in a variety of fora. He expects to meet his German counterpart shortly for discussions on a wide range of issues.