RAF Quick Reaction Alert Stations 2023-09-11
2023-09-11
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The question arises due to concerns about the RAF's ability to effectively respond and defend against aerial threats. The MP is seeking an assessment of recent operations.
What recent assessment has been made of the effectiveness of the RAF quick reaction alert stations?
Royal Air Force pilots and ground crew are poised on quick reaction alert 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year round, ready to scramble within minutes. QRA has been launched on five occasions in 2023 with every incident resolved successfully.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The question stems from the Defence Committee report “Aviation Procurement: Winging it?” which highlights concerns over the combat air mass and the strain on air mobility due to retiring aircraft. The MP is querying about the readiness of the forces.
With the retirement of the Hercules placing even more demands on the air mobility force, what confidence does he have that, if required to do so, those forces have enough men, women and machines to defend the UK in a peer conflict?
I have complete confidence that quick reaction alert will be resourced. The highest priority of the air force is to defend the homeland. I also have complete confidence that the combat air force, as currently structured, is capable of performing a very wide range of duties around the world.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific concern about manpower and machinery availability was not addressed directly.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP is questioning the Minister about concerns over insufficient aircraft availability for proper combat air training, despite acknowledging the quality of combat aircrews.
There are serious concerns that our combat aircrew are engaged almost universally in transit and air policing, with very little aircraft availability to practise proper combat air. What is his assessment of this concern?
We take seriously the work that the Defence Committee does; in addition to QRA and support to NATO missions, they have supported carrier strike deployments, Exercise Red Flag, and deployed a squadron to Australia. This ability to deploy air force with greater agility is a step change for the Royal Air Force.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific concern about aircraft availability was not addressed; instead, focus was on various missions undertaken by RAF.
Response accuracy