Karen Webb DE&S Policy Secretariat Weapons

Defence Equipment and Support Ministry of Defence Tel: 01225 4 67738 Spur 5, E Block Fax: 01225 4 72164 MOD Ensleigh Email:[email protected] BATH BA1 5AB

Mr J Holloway Our Reference: 24-11-2009-095159-001

[email protected] Date: 14 December 2009

Dear Mr Holloway

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION: RELEASE OF INFORMATION UNDER THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT 2000

Thank you for your email of 24 November 2009, about the number of cruise launched between 1 January 1994 and 1 January 2009. This has been considered to be a request for information in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI Act).

The generic definition of a cruise is:

‘a guided missile that carries an explosive payload and uses a lifting wing and a propulsion system, usually a jet engine, to allow sustained flight’.

The Ministry of Defence currently has two missiles that fit the generic definition of a . They are the Storm Shadow Missile and the Land Attack Missile, both of which are conventionally armed. During the period 1 January 1994 to 1 January 2009, the UK launched 99 of these missiles in total.

The missile also fits the definition of a cruise missile, but it has been out of UK service for over 10 years. When in-service it was never fired on operations, although it may have been fired as part of in-service surveillance trials and training. These firings normally take place on a regular basis throughout the in-service life of a missile to ensure that it remains safe and suitable for continued service and to train operators in their employment. Despite making enquiries, however, it appears the data relating to the trials or training for Sea Eagle is no longer available.

If you are not satisfied with this response or you wish to complain about any aspect of the handling of your request, then you should contact me in the first instance. If informal resolution is not possible and you are still dissatisfied then you may apply for an independent internal review by contacting the Head of Corporate Information, 6th Floor, MOD Main Building, Whitehall, SW1A 2HB (e-mail [email protected]). Please note that any request for an internal review must be made within 40 working days of the date on which the attempt to reach informal resolution has come to an end.

If you remain dissatisfied following an internal review, you may take your complaint to the Information Commissioner under the provisions of Section 50 of the Freedom of Information Act. Please note that the Information Commissioner will not investigate your

case until the MOD internal review process has been completed. Further details of the role and powers of the Information Commissioner can be found on the Commissioner's website, http://www.ico.gov.uk.

Yours sincerely

Karen Webb