Air-launched Anti-armour Missile

HC Deb 23 July 1996 vol 282 cc210-1W

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the military reasons underlying the requirement for an air-launched anti-armour missile capability. [39177]

Mr. Arbuthnot

An advanced air-launched anti-armour weapon is needed to provide a capability against modern main battle tanks and other armoured vehicles that can be deployed rapidly to and around the battlefield; and which will enable us to attack enemy forces at long range and before contact with our own ground forces. It will thus complement the attack helicopter, which is designed to operate at shorter range. Its stand-off capability will keep our aircrew and aircraft losses to a minimum.