HL Deb 03 June 2003 vol 648 c130WA
Lord Vivian

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in view of the recent use of C-17 sorties, they will change over the Tornado F3 airframes in the Falkland Islands; and whether the A400M will be capable of undertaking similar missions carrying the Tornado or its replacement. [HL2659]

Lord Bach:

There is a routine programme to change over Tornado F3 airframes stationed in the Falkland Islands. This can be carried out either by flying the planes direct or by transporting them disassembled in a military C-17 or a civilian-chartered AN124 aircraft. There is no extant requirement to carry a Tornado F3 or its successor (Typhoon) in an A400M aircraft. In the event that the United Kingdom decided that such a capability was desired, a loading trial would be required.