HC Deb 10 June 2002 vol 386 cc755-7W
Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the length is of the training period required for Harrier GR7 pilots to qualify for flying operations from aircraft carriers. [59786]

Mr. Ingram

The additional training required to qualify Harrier GR7 pilots for aircraft carriers combat ready (Day) and (Night) status has historically taken a minimum of 16 aircraft carrier based flying days during which 15 day time sorties and five night time sorties must be accrued. The night sorties must be undertaken within 72 hours of the last day time sortie. The length of time to complete this training can vary, as it is aircraft carrier availability and weather dependent. It would be rare for the training to be completed within 16 days, however, on occasions when optimum operating conditions have been experienced, some pilots have qualified in a slightly shorter time.

Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the maximum number of Harrier GR7 pilots is that can be trained for aircraft carrier flying operations at any one time. [59787]

Mr. Ingram

The maximum full front line strength of the three operational Harrier GR7 squadrons is 48 pilots and it is unlikely that there would be a requirement to train more than that number. 36 pilots are currently qualified to fly operations from aircraft carriers. Training to enable Harrier GR7 pilots to conduct aircraft carrier based operations is usually conducted as part of a Squadron's routine training programme. The maximum number of pilots that could be trained for aircraft carrier operations at any one time is dependent on a wide range of factors. These include aircraft carrier availability, operational tempo, pilot requirement for such training, weather conditions and completing training priorities, themselves dictated by anticipated operational requirement.

Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether all new Harrier GR7 pilots will be trained for aircraft carrier flying operations. [59788]

Mr. Ingram

It is planned that all RAF Harrier GR7 pilots will be trained for aircraft carrier operations at some stage during their first front line tour. All RN Sea Harrier FA2 pilots migrating to the Harrier GR7 will undertake aircraft carrier based training after completing conversion and a Combat Ready work up syllabus.

Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Harrier GR7 pilots are trained for operations from aircraft carriers; and what plans he has to increase the numbers of Harrier GR7 pilots trained for flying operations from aircraft carriers. [59785]

Mr. Ingram

There is currently an established front line strength of 48 Harrier GR7 pilots, of which 75 per cent., 36 pilots, are currently qualified to fly operations from aircraft carriers. There are currently no plans to increase that ratio.

Dr. Naysmith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he has taken, following the announced early retirement of the Sea Harrier FA2 from service, to ensure that the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force benefit from a common standard of upgraded engine across the Harrier aircraft fleet, with the objective of improving the aircraft's performance and operational efficiency and reducing its cost of ownership. [60563]

Mr. Ingram

We do not currently plan to upgrade the Pegasus engines of the full Harrier GR fleet, as the current partial fleet fit with the upgraded engines fulfils all our operational requirements. While there could be some operational and logistical benefits in a full Harrier fleet engine upgrade, the benefits over the partial fit would be marginal and are not sufficient to outweigh the substantial costs involved, particularly in view of the aircraft's out-of-service date. Our decision to retire the Sea Harriers from service does not alter this position.

Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the cost per aircraft is of upgrading the Harrier GR7 to GR9 standard. [59784]

Mr. Ingram

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 March 2002,Official Report, columns 1166–67W to the hon. Member for North Essex (Mr. Jenkin).

We will be able to determine the cost per aircraft of the Harrier GR7 upgrade when the total programme cost is finalised.

Mr. Gray

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when work to upgrade Harrier GR7 to GR9 will commence; how many aircraft are planned to be upgraded; and what the yearly delivery schedule is for the upgraded aircraft. [59789]

Mr. Ingram

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 21 May 2002,Official Report, column 168W.

The yearly delivery schedule for the Harrier GR9 has yet to be determined.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what action he has taken to identify the author of the letter published inThe Times on 13 May signed as from Paul Hamblin and Don Holland. [59748]

Mr. Ingram

The Ministry of Defence established on the day of publication that the signed authors of the letter were not members of the armed forces. We informedThe Times newspaper that day.