Mr. Gareth R. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the Advanced Short—Range Air-to-Air Missile to enter service; and if he will make a statement. [29350]
§ Mr. IngramThe Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) will enter service with the Royal Air Force later this month. The delivery of the first batch of missiles marks the successful agreement between the Ministry of Defence and the missile manufacturer MBDA. By working constructively together, we have agreed a clear and robust route map to achieve the full operational 497W capability required of the missile. Tornado F3 will be the first of our aircraft to be fitted with ASRAAM. The missile will also be one of Eurofighter' s principal weapons. ASRAAM will provide a major advance in our short-range air-to-air combat capability.