CAB148-30-Defence and Oversea Policy Committee Meetings Relating to 1967 Disturbances-1967 — Page 101

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Summing up the discussion THE PRIME MINISTER said that the Committee were agreed that the strongest features of the military case for the F 111 lay in its reconnaissance capability outside Europe and in its long ferry range. Both capabilities would be important during a period of phased withdrawal from overseas bases and whatever the outcome of the further defence studies. These considerations, coupled with those related to the favourable price of the aircraft and the offset arrangements outweighed the arguments for delaying a decision on the order until decisions could be taken on the further defence studies as a whole. The Committee accepted on balance that

the order for the remaining 40 F 111

should be placed.

The Committee

M

Approved OPD(67) 21.

-3-

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