UK to sell fleet of axed Harrier jump jets
IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency
London, Nov 1, IRNA -- The British government was reported Monday to be seeking buyers for the country’s fleet of Harrier jump jets that are being decommissioned in defense cuts announced last month.
India and the US are seen as two possible buyers of the fighter aircraft which Britain can no longer afford to fly. The alternative will be to scrap the planes or consign them to museums.
The Financial Times said that it was told by Defence Procurement Minister Peter Luff that some of the other axed kit, including the Nimrod reconnaissance aircraft, might also find a home abroad.
“I don’t want to speculate about the market,” Luff said.. “I don’t want them to feel as if they are being bounced. But we are looking at the options quite carefully at the moment. There are overseas markets, particularly for the Harrier,” he added.
The possible sales come as Britain is cutting its defense budget that will leave the country without any planes to fly off new aircraft carriers being built for over a decade.
India bought around 30 earlier versions of Sea Harriers in the 1980s. Versions are also used by Spain and Italy.
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Islamic Republic News Agency/IRNA NewsCode: 30050361
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