Arms Exports to Saudi Arabia

Lord Purvis of Tweed Excerpts

Tuesday 25th June 2019 Lords Chamber

[Lord Collins of Highbury]

My Lords—

[Lord Purvis of Tweed (LD)]

My Lords, is the suspension of any new licences for equipment not rendered a nonsense if existing integrated training and engagements are carried out by the British and Saudi air forces? These have included Operation Green Flag, which concluded in December last year and of which Major General Haidar bin Rafie Al-Omari, the commander, said:

“The Green Flag exercise involves all our air force combat systems supporting Operation Decisive Storm and Operation Restoring Hope (in Yemen)”.


He added:

“The British Royal Air Force aims to integrate all combat systems, including air combat, air support and electronic warfare”.


Will the review ensure that not only equipment licences but current training are suspended?

[The Earl of Courtown]

My Lords, the noble Lord has made a number of points. The fact is that, as far as existing UK military personnel are concerned, we are providing information, advice and training to help Saudi Arabia minimise threats as well as sharing techniques for minimising civilian casualties. All UK personnel remain under UK command and control. I am not aware of the exercise mentioned by the noble Lord, but I will of course ask my officials about it.