§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many aircraft available to his Department are fitted with synthetic aperture radar equipment for use in search and rescue operations, broken down by type; and if he will make a statement. [164296]
§ Mr. IngramNone. Synthetic aperture radar will be fitted to the Nimrod MRA4,18 of which are currently due to enter service in 2009. This capability is, however, unlikely to be used in search and rescue operations, as MOD platforms engaged in such operations are already equipped with other, more appropriate, technologies.