241. Editorial Note
Discussions between representatives of the Departments of State and Defense and ICA on the future of Mutual Security Program Plan K funds for modernizing the Royal Air Force continued until 1957 against a background of repeated British requests for this aid. The failure of the Javelin all-weather fighter to meet United States requirements and therefore to qualify for Plan K aid as originally proposed, and skepticism that Great Britain could provide Corporal missiles, further complicated these discussions. Other military uses to which Plan K funds could be put were considered, but in telegram 3384 from London, December 19, Ambassador Winthrop W. Aldrich, urged that these funds be spent on Javelins and Corporals because these “actions would bolster British dollar position during difficult period and give [Page 662] further evidence of importance US attaches to Anglo-US alliance.” (Department of State, Central Files, 741.5–MSP/12–1956) By January 1957, the United States had agreed in principle to provide $30.5 million for Corporals, but what to do with the $64.4 million originally intended for Javelins remained the problem. Documentation on this subject is ibid., London Embassy Files: Lot 61 F 14, 320 Western Bloc, and Central File 741.5–MSP.