§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the impact on the locations and scheduling of air combat training of the acquisition of rangeless airborne instrumentation debriefing systems for the RAF. [16836]
§ Mr. SoamesThe planned acquisition of the rangeless airborne instrumented debriefing system—RAIDS—is not expected in itself to generate an increase in air combat training above current levels, but would be used to debrief all forms of tactical training. However, our withdrawal from the air weapons training installation at Decimomannu, Sardinia, has been prompted in part by our decision to procure such a system and a small increase in air training conducted in UK airspace will occur as a result. As now, much of this training will be conducted over the sea.
§ Mr. FoulkesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his plans to acquire rangeless airborne instrumentation debriefing systems for the RAF; and if such systems will incorporate a capability to record and debrief low-level air-to-ground attacks. [16837]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotI refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the late hon. Member for Don Valley (Mr. Redmond) on 13 January 1997,Official Report, column 124. It is planned that RAIDS would provide a recording and debriefing capability across the entire range of RAF fast jet training requirements, including low-level air-to-ground attacks.