HC Deb 24 April 2001 vol 367 c235W
Mr. Quentin Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to install Link 16 in naval and air platforms; and what the projected in-service dates are for each aircraft type and class of vessel. [157727]

Mr. Spellar

Link 16 is already in service on the Tornado F3 and Sentry E3D aircraft, and the UK Air Defence Ground Environment. Additionally, on current plans, we will install Link 16 in several in-service naval and air platforms as follows:

In-service platform ISD with Link 16
Type 42 destroyer (Batch 2 and 3) 2004
CVS (Invincible Class) 2004
Sea King AEW 2002
Nimrod (R) 2003
Sea Harrier FA2 2004

Major new naval and air platforms, such as Eurofighter and the Type 45 destroyer, will be provided with situational awareness through secure tactical data links, in many cases by installing Link 16.