§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the Ministry of Defence is contemplating acquiring a conventionally armed stand-off missile with a concrete penetrating warhead, and whether this would be for the purpose of counter-proliferation; if so whether they are contemplating buying it from the United States; and if so, whether this is being considered in the context of the US Counter-Proliferation Initiative; and
What Israeli firm or firms are taking part in the study of the possible British requirement for anti-missile defences or for a conventionally armed stand-off missile with a concrete-penetrating warhead.
Earl HoweHer Majesty's Government announced on 29 November last year that industry would be invited to tender for the supply of a Conventionally Armed Stand-Off Missile for the RAF. This will enhance the RAF's stand-off attack capability and allow precision targeting of high value, strategic and tactical assets, without exposing our aircraft and aircrews to unacceptably high levels of attrition. The importance of such a capability was demonstrated during the Gulf conflict.
Invitations to tender were issued on 9 December to some 15 contractors at home and overseas, including the United States, Europe and Israel. Bids are due to be returned by 11 July, and the Israeli company Rafael is among those expected to respond. Responses will be carefully considered on their merits, the most important being total cost to public funds, operational effectiveness and such technical aspects as performance, reliability and compatibility with our delivery aircraft.