§ Mr. PageTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what evidence he has evaluated on the Russian ramjet propulsion system for a beyond visual range air to air missile. [88086]
§ Mr. George RobertsonThe MOD has been aware of the development of a Russian ramjet propulsion system for a beyond visual range air-to-air missile since 1993, when a model, designated RVV-AE-PD, was displayed at the Moscow Airshow. During this year's Paris Airshow, the weapon itself was displayed. Representatives stated that the missile, which is a privately funded programme, had completed testing including ground-launched firings against a target. Air-launched firings had not been carried out due to the high costs involved. They also confirmed that it was now ready to go into production although they had no customers, either in Russia or elsewhere.
We continue to assess the capabilities of this weapon, the development of its associated ramjet propulsion system and the scope for its deployment.