20 October 2010
Shailesh Vara has responded to the news that the Harrier jump jet is to be retired in favour of a sustained Tornado fleet. The announcement comes as the Prime Minister yesterday unveiled details to the House of Commons of the first Strategic Defence Review in 12 years.
The decision to make changes to the Royal Air Force’s fleet is likely to have implications for the RAF base in Wittering, known as the ‘Home of the Harrier’ for its long association with the aircraft. As of last year, it became the sole operational base for the Harrier jet.
No decision has yet been made on the future of RAF Wittering but Mr Vara is seeking an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox MP, stressing the importance of the base.
Mr Vara said:
“The Royal Air Force, like other parts of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, is taking tough measures for the coming years to secure a strong future. One of these decisions is to retire the Harrier, which has given the country distinguished service for 40 years. The Tornado fleet will be sustained because it is better able to perform the operations our nation requires.
“No decision has yet been taken on the future of RAF Wittering and this is obviously a matter of crucial importance to the local community. I am seeking an urgent meeting with Liam Fox MP, the Secretary of State for Defence, to impress upon him the arguments in favour of retaining the base.”
The decision to make changes to the Royal Air Force’s fleet is likely to have implications for the RAF base in Wittering, known as the ‘Home of the Harrier’ for its long association with the aircraft. As of last year, it became the sole operational base for the Harrier jet.
No decision has yet been made on the future of RAF Wittering but Mr Vara is seeking an urgent meeting with the Secretary of State for Defence, the Rt Hon Dr Liam Fox MP, stressing the importance of the base.
Mr Vara said:
“The Royal Air Force, like other parts of Her Majesty’s Armed Forces, is taking tough measures for the coming years to secure a strong future. One of these decisions is to retire the Harrier, which has given the country distinguished service for 40 years. The Tornado fleet will be sustained because it is better able to perform the operations our nation requires.
“No decision has yet been taken on the future of RAF Wittering and this is obviously a matter of crucial importance to the local community. I am seeking an urgent meeting with Liam Fox MP, the Secretary of State for Defence, to impress upon him the arguments in favour of retaining the base.”
