§ Mr. GrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many days of operational capability per annum were achieved by aircraft carriers in each of the last five years; and how many days operational capability was specified for the two new carriers. [64800]
§ Mr. IngramThe number of days of operational capability per annum achieved by the Royal Navy's Invincible-class aircraft carriers during the past five years was as follows:
Days 1997 577 1998 494 1999 426 2000 527 2001 502 Operational requirements for the future carriers are still being developed. However, it is intended that at least one of the planned fleet of two ships will be operationally available at all times and ship availability will be comparable to that achieved for the existing three Invincible class carriers.