§ 31. Mr. WilkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the airborne stand-off radar to enter service with the Royal Air Force. [70522]
§ Mr. SpellarThe In Service Date, ISD, in May 1997 was 2003. Since then the bidders for the Airborne Stand-Off Radar programme have been asked to review the feasibility of the current In Service Date of 2003, in their proposals for the Full Development and Production phase of the programme.
The Department is currently in the process of evaluating bids, and it would, therefore, not be appropriate to make specific comments on any aspect of the bids at this time. On current plans we aim to announce a decision on the project in the spring, and award a contract later this year. The new ISD is dependent upon the selected bid.
§ Mr. WoolasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects to make an announcement on the contract for the Astor system. [70490]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonThe Department is currently in the process of evaluating bids for the Full Development and Production phase of the Airborne Stand-off Radar (ASTOR) programme. On current plans we aim to announce a decision on the project in the spring, and award a contract later this year.