Nuclear-certified Aircraft Procurement Debate
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Chris McDonald
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Nuclear-certified Aircraft Procurement
Chris McDonald Excerpts(1 day, 21 hours ago)
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Maria Eagle
The right hon. Gentleman is correct that the decision does all those things, and he has made a very good point.
Chris McDonald (Stockton North) (Lab)
I welcome the acquisition of the F-35As, not least for the impact it will have on industry and jobs in my constituency. In answer to the question about refuelling, the Minister described very well how this new capability meshes with existing NATO capability. Will she say a little more about how this capability supports the defence of not only the UK, but our NATO allies?
Maria Eagle
My hon. Friend is correct. In addition to the industrial benefits that we ought to glean from increasing the F-35 order, it is absolutely right that it strengthens NATO. That is what the strategic defence review said that we should focus on, and NATO first is what we are doing. Rejoining the NATO nuclear mission is a striking commitment. We accepted the recommendation to make that commitment and we are now implementing it.