HC Deb 11 January 1993 vol 216 cc629-31W
Mr. Home Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the overseas Army exercises in each of the past three years, and for 1992–93 to date, for which chartered airlift was used, showing the costs, the budget on which they were borne, and the reasons for the use of commercial aircraft.

Mr. Archie Hamilton

The information requested is set out in the table. All costs, except for one exercise, were borne in the centrally managed air charter budget. The exception was Exercise Medman, in May 1992, which was funded by the Army. Ordinarily airlift is provided by the RAF air transport force (ATF) although demand does exceed supply. Exercises which do not secure ATF support are, in most cases, not considered sufficiently important to warrant civil airlift.

Exercise name £million Reasons
1990
Ex Western Tamu 0.090 A
Ex Union Pacific 0.642 A
Ex Medman 0.840 B
Ex Holdfast/Lutzon Hunt 0.310 A
Ex Trumpet Dance 0.820 B
Total 2.702
1991
Ex Hutan Labi 0.0170 A
Ex Crossed Belt 0.470 A
Ex Holdfast 0.100 A
Ex Grand Prix 1.336 B
Ex Blue Flyer 0.105 A
Ex Eastern Tamu 0.170 A
ExSeatrout 0.190 B
Ex Waterleap 0.070 B
Ex Warpaint 0.150 B
Ex Trumpet Dance 2 0.450 B
Ex Bass Rock 0.089 C
Ex Medman 1.075 B
Ex Grand Prix 0.26 B
Total 4.635
1992
Ex Kauri Pine 0.215 A
Ex Western Tamu 0.130 A
Ex Crossed Belt 0.120 A
Ex Union Pacific 0.201 A
Ex Kauri Pine 0.130 A
Ex Long Summer 0.130 D
Ex Medman 0.87 E
Total 1.013

Note:

A= Far East—out of theatre training

It is less expensive to use local airlines for exercises in the Far East than to position ATF aircraft from the United Kingdom.

B = Operation Granby

The ATF was fully committed throughout the Gulf conflict and the subsequent withdrawal, necessitating use of commercial charter flights to meet exercise commitments.

C = Substitution

An unplanned VIP task for the then Secretary of State for Defence was met by the ATF, and a substitute aircraft was obtained from commercial sources for the exercise.

D= Outsize load

Civil Charter was procured to move an outsize load. The task was beyond the capability of ATF aircraft.

E = Priority of exercise

HQ British Army of the Rhine considered that the priority of the exercise, which had failed to secure ATF airlift, warranted air charter and met the costs from their own resources.

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