§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the current estimated total cost of the EH101 Merlin helicopter; what was the original total estimated cost of the helicopter at current prices; what was the original in-service date and what is its current estimated in-service date; and if he will make a statement. [32651]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotThe current estimated total cost of the EH1O1/Merlin programme is £4,307 million. The prime contractor is Lockheed-Martin-ASIC.
The estimated total cost, at current prices, when the Main Production Contract—MPC—was awarded was £3,922 million.
The in-service date agreed when the MPC was awarded was December 1998 and this has not changed.