§ Mr. KeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the result of the Future Carrier-Borne Aircraft down selection; and if he will make a statement. [133837]
§ Dr. MoonieThis 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 Robert Walmsley to Mr. Robert Key, dated 23 October 2000:
I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the down-selection of the Future Carrier Borne Aircraft (FCBA). This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.No decision has yet been made on how best to meet the FCBA requirement. A number of options remain under consideration of which the US-led Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) is a strong contender.Under US plans, the down selection decision on which of the two competing JSF designs will enter the next phase of the programme, Engineering and Manufacturing Development, will not be taken until the latter part of next year.I hope that this explains the position.