§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) which countries had armed forces involved in the NATO air exercise over Turkey carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998; [72852]
(2) what was the cost of the NATO air exercise in Turkey carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998; and what was the cost of UK participation; [72845]
(3) how many personnel were deployed on the NATO air exercise in Turkey carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998; [72983]
(4) what assessment he has made of the principal benefits of the NATO air exercise in Turkey carried out between 1 April 1997 and 31 March 1998. [76594]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer March 1999]Exercise Distant Thunder took place in Turkey between 28 April–9 May 1997. Italy, Turkey, the US and the UK took part. There is not a figure available within NATO for the total number of personnel participating. I understand from NATO that the cost of the NATO Exercise Fund of this exercise has been estimated at some £210,000. The additional cost to the UK of participation in the exercise totalled some £11,000, with about 100 personnel participating. We do not know what the national costs to other participating nations were. Exercise Distant Thunder provided excellent training in both deployment procedures and in practising Combined Air Operations.