European Fighter Aircraft

HC Deb 09 February 1993 vol 218 c572W

29. Mr. Dunnachie

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the European fighter aircraft project.

Mr. Aitken

The agreement reached by the Defence Ministers of the four partner nations on 10 December means the development of a new fighter, to be known as Eurofighter 2000, will go ahead, though with some changes to adapt the design to the new international situation and to make it affordable to all four partner nations. Deliveries to the RAF are planned to commence in 2000. Officials of the four nations are now discussing with the contractors the precise programme and specification changes necessary to give effect to the ministerial decision.