§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role the Royal Air Force will have in(a) the new NATO rapid reaction force, (b) the new NATO main defence forces and (c) the new NATO augmentation forces; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonThe RAF will be making a significant contribution of up to 80 aircraft to the Reaction Force (Air). The aircraft will be drawn from the Tornado, Harrier and Jaguar forces. Rapier surface-to-air missiles will also be assigned. The broad range of capabilities that these forces will provide to both the immediate reaction and rapid reaction components of the force has been warmly welcomed by NATO.
RAF assets not assigned to the Reaction Force (Air) will form part of the NATO main defence force. Our contribution to this will include strike-attack and reconnaissance assets, a comprehensive air defence capability and, to reflect the increased emphasis on flexibility of deployment, comprehensive transport, air-to-air refuelling and support helicopter forces. No RAF assets are currently being assigned to the lower readiness augmentation forces.
These contributions to the reaction and main defence forces will ensure that the RAF continues to play a major role in NATO.