HC Deb 19 October 1998 vol 317 c888W
Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the timetable for the introduction of the Joint Strike Fighter. [55353]

Mr. Spellar

The Joint Strike Fighter, JSF, is a US Department of Defense project. The UK is participating in the Concept Demonstration Phase of the US programme as a full collaborative partner, JSF being a strong contender to meet our Future Carrier Borne Aircraft requirement. First flights of the JSF concept demonstration aircraft are scheduled for the year 2000. Subsequently, a decision will be taken on whether to join the next phase of the US programme, or to follow one of the alternative options currently being studied. The Future Carrier Borne Aircraft is due to enter service around 2012.