British Aerospace 146 Aircraft

HC Deb 22 December 1982 vol 34 c538W

Mr. Murphy

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has decided to purchase British Aerospace 146 aircraft for the Royal Air Force.

Mr. Nott

The Royal Air Force is buying two British Aerospace 146–100 aircraft so that the type may be evaluated in the air transport force for its suitability to replace the Andovers of the Queen's Flight. The evaluation will take place over a period of about two years, during which time the aircraft will provide a useful supplement to the air transport force, which is heavily committed in the South Atlantic. On the assumption that the evaluation shows the aircraft type to be acceptable, these aircraft will then be replaced by the long-range Executive version which will be available to replace the Andover.