§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the(a) current total estimated cost and in service date and (b) original total estimated cost and in service date of the Army's attack helicopter. [458]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotThe current total estimated cost of the attack helicopter programme is £2.5 billion and, at the same price base, is about £120 million more than the estimated total programme cost when the competitive tendering and assessment phase was approved in 1991. The preferred in service date at that time was December 1997 but the later date of December 1998 was included in the invitation to tender. Following the conclusion of the competition, the in service date is currently estimated as 2000. This remains subject to confirmation in the continuing contract negotiations.
§ Dr. ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the progress made on the development of the Army's attack helicopter. [445]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotI receive regular updates on the progress of major programmes such as the attack helicopter. Following the selection of the WAH64 aircraft to meet the Army's requirement for an attack helicopter, contractual negotiations are continuing with Westland 19W Helicopters Ltd. Development of the McDonnell Douglas AH64D Longbow Apache for the US Army, on which the United Kingdom's aircraft will be based, has been completed and the production phase has been approved.