HC Deb 12 January 1998 vol 304 c129W
24. Mr. Hoyle

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on progress in respect of the Eurofighter project. [20219]

Mr. George Robertson

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Blackpool, South (Mr. Marsden) on 22 December 1997,Official Report, column 417.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the need for a mid-life upgrade for the Eurofighter; and in which areas of capability. [22694]

Mr. George Robertson

Eurofighter is still being developed and the Memoranda of Understanding to commit to the production and support phases of the programme were only signed on 22 December 1997. I am confident that Eurofighter will respond to meet the operational requirements for which it is designed. Moreover, the Eurofighter design has growth potential to enable it to be modified to respond to changes in the threat and to take account of relevant tactical and technological developments. On this basis the question of a Eurofighter mid-life upgrade is likely to be one for consideration some years away.

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what are the anticipated annual costs of ownership of Eurofighter over the operational life of the aeroplanes ordered. [22693]

Mr. George Robertson

The current estimated annual in-service support cost to the UK of Eurofighter is £230 million.