PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Maritime Patrol Aircraft (24 May 2016)

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of UK allies providing maritime patrol aircraft for use in the UK in advance of the delivery of new P8 aircraft.

Asked by:
Mr Toby Perkins (Labour)

Since the withdrawal of the Nimrod MR2 in March 2010, we have drawn on other military assets, including Type 23 Frigates, submarines and Merlin Anti-Submarine Warfare helicopters and, where appropriate and possible, assistance from allies. We will continue the present practice of issuing requests to allies to provide Maritime Patrol Aircraft when there is an operational need to do so.

Our allies are well aware of the value of such reciprocal support and there are also many instances of the UK providing support to others. Examples include Quick Reaction Alert aircraft for Baltic Air Policing and the integration of HMS KENT into a French carrier group deployment to the Gulf last year

Answered by:
Philip Dunne (Conservative)
2 June 2016