§ Mr. Quentin DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he proposes to procure for the RAF combat aircraft an integrated fully encrypted real time air-to-air and air-to-ground voice and data communication system; and if he will make a statement. [143351]
§ Dr. MoonieYes. A number of RAF combat aircraft are already fitted with Multi Function Information Distribution System (MIDS) (formerly Joint Tactical Information Distribution System—JTIDS) Link 16 terminals which give this capability, including Tornado F3 and Sentry E3D aircraft. A similar capability is planned to be fitted to the majority of future combat aircraft types, including Eurofighter.