PR9 Canberra Reconnaissance Aircraft

HC Deb 13 January 1998 vol 304 cc158-9W

Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the PR9 Canberra reconnaissance aircraft each came into service; what was their design life; and what is the date on which they are expected to leave service. [22696]

Mr. Spellar

There are five Canberra Mk PR9 aircraft. The aircraft all entered service between 4 March 1959 and 4 August 1960. It is assessed that sufficient fatigue life remains on the Canberra Mk PR9 aircraft to enable them to achieve their predicted out of service date of 2003.