HC Deb 17 July 2003 vol 409 cc478-9W
Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason the Tornado F3 aircraft will not be fitted with Helmet Mounted Sight capability for ASRAAM. [125601]

Mr. Ingram

Fitting Helmet Mounted Sight (HMS) to Tornado F3 to operate the Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) could not be achieved before 2005. Carrying out the required integration work would disrupt the aircraft's operational availability until then. Tornado F3 is expected to retire from service by 2009. It would not, therefore, be cost-effective to fit HMS to Tornado F3 to operate ASRAAM.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his assessment is of the capability improvement of ASRAAM over the AIM9M and AIM9L Sidewinder missiles. [125602]

Mr. Ingram

The Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) provides a significant overall improvement in capability to that provided by AIM9 missiles. In particular, ASRAAM flies faster and further and is more agile than AIM9 missiles, enhancing the Royal Air Force's ability to engage enemy aircraft. ASRAAM also demonstrates greater counter-measures performance, greater lethality and better target acquisition than AIM9 missiles. These are all key factors in enabling our pilots to achieve air superiority, not only now, but also against all known emerging threats.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence for what reason Tornado F3 aircraft have not received an AMRAAM datalink upgrade as part of the Capability Sustainment programme. [125603]

Mr. Ingram

Tornado F3 aircraft are receiving a datalink upgrade as part of the ongoing AMRAAM Optimisation Programme. This programme remains on track to complete on schedule in 2004.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Jaguar GR3A has been wired for ASRAAM; and what plans he has for the Jaguar GR3A to be equipped with ASRAAM. [125604]

Mr. Ingram

The Advanced Short-Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) is compatible with the wiring in Jaguar GR3A. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the then Under-Secretary of State for Defence on 7 March 2000,Official Report, column 653W to the hon. Member for Hereford (Mr. Keetch).