HC Deb 02 February 2000 vol 343 cc583-4W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which UK-based companies will be contributing towards development of the Raytheon ASTOR system. [104408]

Dr. Moonie

This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.

Letter from Sir Robert Walmsley to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 2 February 2000: I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the ASTOR programme. This matter falls to me to answer within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. Over 80 UK based companies will be involved in the ASTOR programme. The major companies being Raytheon Systems Limited (UK), BAe Systems, Short Brothers, Motorola UK, Marshall SV, Matra Marconi, Ultra, and Rolls Royce.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how long he expects the new Raytheon ASTOR system to be in service with the RAF. [104400]

Dr. Moonie

We expect the new Raytheon ASTOR system to be in service about 30 years.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects(a) the final delivery of the Raytheon ASTOR system to be made to the RAF and (b) the system to be in service. [104401]

Dr. Moonie

I expect delivery of the final Airborne Stand-Off Radar (ASTOR) air platform to be delivered in 2007, and the system's In-Service Date to be 2005.

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