§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the timetable for the development of the Future Offensive Air System; [55352]
(2) if he will make a statement on the progress of his Department's evaluation of the Future Offensive Air System. [55351]
§ Mr. SpellarThe Future Offensive Air System, FOAS, will replace the capability currently provided by the Tornado GR fleet in the offensive support role in about twenty years' time. As confirmed in the Strategic Defence Review White Paper (Cmd 3999), a wide range of options to fulfil the FOAS requirement will continue to be examined, including manned aircraft, remotely piloted/unmanned air vehicles and cruise missiles. Feasibility studies into the various options are underway and are progressing well.