From Hansard, 20th Feb 2003
Operational Requirement
Nimrod, Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA), with their reach and large area coverage, uniquely provide the long range maritime area surveillance and attack capability necessary to assure secure battlespace in the littoral. Without this assured access, the risk of loss of deployed forces, including CVF, from a continuing surface and sub-surface threat, would severely limit our ability to conduct post SDR joint and expeditionary warfare. MPA provide the bedrock of maritime capability
Can we assume Dr Fox is now prepared to accept these risks?