HC Deb 05 December 1985 vol 88 cc349-50W
Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will list all operational equipment losses including helicopters and aircraft for each year since 1980 and for each of the three services.

Mr. Stanley

The figures for operational equipment losses for all three services during the years 1980–85, but excluding losses in the Falklands conflict, are as follows. These include losses during training.

Royal Navy Army Royal Air Force
1980
Fixed wing aircraft 1 2 21
Helicopter 3 4 2
1981
Fixed wing aircraft 1 20
Helicopter 5 1
1982*
Fixed wing aircraft 1 23
Helicopter 3 5
1983
Fixed wing aircraft 4 1 24
Helicopter 3 1 1
1984
Fixed wing aircraft 3 17
Helicopter 2 2 1
1985†
Fixed wing aircraft 1 15
Helicopter 3 2 1

* Excluding losses in the Falklands conflict.

† Interim figures.

According to available records, one Saracen armoured personnel carrier, two FV432 armed personnel carriers, and one Ferret scout car have also been lost in 1981, 1984 and 1985, respectively.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will list all operational equipment losses during the period 3 April 1982 to the date of ceasefire in the Falklands in June 1982.

Mr. Stanley

During the period 3 April 1982 to the cessation of hostilities in the Falklands, the following major equipments were lost:

Equipment losses
Royal Navy
(a) Ships HMS Sheffield, HMS Ardent, HMS Antelope, HMS Coventry and RFA Sir Galahad
(b) Aircraft 6 Sea Harriers
(c) Helicopters 3 Lynx
9 Wessex
5 Sea Kings
Royal Marines 2 Gazelles
1 Scout
Army 1 Gazelle
Royal Air Force 3 harriers
3 Chinooks

The SS Atlantic Conveyor was also lost, as was a combat engineer tractor. One additional RAF Harrier, originally counted as lost, has since been repaired.

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