HC Deb 17 December 1986 vol 107 c595W
Mr. Rowe

asked the Secretary of State for Defence how many Nimrod aircraft are currently in service with the armed services.

Mr. Stanley

I refer my hon. Friend to annex E "Strength of the Royal Air Force" in vol. 1 of the "Statement on the Defence Estimates 1986" (Cmnd. 9763–1). It is not our practice to reveal details of numbers of operational aircraft.

Mr. Rowe

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what was the cost at 1986 prices of the Nimrod aircraft currently in service with the armed services (a) when they were first commissioned and (b) at the present day, including the costs of any updating or improvements.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

I shall answer shortly.

Mr. Rowe

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his estimate of the expected life of the Nimrod aircraft at present in service with the armed services.

Mr. Stanley

We expect Nimrods to be in service with the RAF into the early years of the next century.