U.K. ATOM BOMBERS

Press, Volume C, Issue 29444, 21 February 1961, Page 18

U.K. ATOM BOMBERS

“Effective Deterrent”

(Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON. February 20. Britain’s n ■ e 1 e a r bomber force is now streamlined to the point where it could "inflict devastating retaliation upon an aggressor.” This was disclosed today in a memorandum accompanying the 1961-lMg air estimates. It said that even with only a few minutes* notice of missile attack, the bombers would still be able to fly many miles clear of the airfields within the warning time. The memorandum, by the Air Minister, Mr Julian Amery, said Britain planned to introduce Skybolt, the American air-launched ballistic missile, in the mid-1980'a—-subject to the successful completion of its development programme. “Production weapons will be bought outright and will be carried by the Vulcan II (Britain’s four-jet bomber). "They will be fitted with British warheads. "The Vulcan 11. armed with the Skybolt, will no longer have to penetrate enemy air defences to attack its targets,” the memorandum added. The V-force would continue to provide an effective deterrent during the next decade, It said. Blue Steel Bomb Handling and maintenance trials of the Blue Steel standoff bomb under service conditions are due to begin in the coming year. Squadrons of English Electric Lightning jet fighter* (reported to be capable of 1500 m.p.h.) are now tn service armed wtih de HaviUand Ffrestreak air-to-air missiles. The deployment of the Bloodhound I ground-to-air guided missile In Britain will be completed during 1981-82. Orders are being placed for Bloodhound H The net total of the air estimates for 1961-1982 was £526.670,000 compared with £535,460,010 in the current year.