§ Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what military assistance Britain is giving to Kuwait. [134961]
§ Mr. SpellarThe UK provides extensive military assistance to Kuwait. Our bilateral co-operation programme covers a wide range of activities across the defence spectrum. The 47 strong British Military Mission (BMM) which is permanently based in Kuwait provides advice and support to the reform of the Kuwaiti armed forces. We are helping to develop the Kuwaiti Flying Training School and continue to lend our support to the Kuwait Staff College. Members of Kuwait's Navy, Army and Air Force are represented on training, including flying training, and staff courses in the UK. We are working hard also to examine proposals to help the Kuwaitis develop their own defence doctrine and continue to explore potential avenues for practical military exercises.
The British defence industry continues to bid competitively to support the modernisation of the Kuwaiti armed forces. The Kuwait Programme Office is a dedicated integrated team, which is fully funded by the Kuwaitis and is responsible for setting up government to 276W government arrangements covering the procurement of defence equipment from British contractors. Current projects include the Desert Warrior, Sea Skua and servicing of the Hawk as well as the Tucano Training aircraft.
The UK contributes 11 service personnel to UNIKOM which monitors the UN defined border and demilitarised zone between Iraq and Kuwait.