§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans there are for the new Apache654W helicopters to use the combined laser designator rangefinder; what safety assessment has been conducted; and if he will make a statement. [40609]
§ Dr. MoonieThe WAH64 Apache helicopter is fitted with a combined laser rangefinder and designator supplied by Lockheed Martin. A full safety assessment is being undertaken, and will be subject to clearance by the appropriate Ministry of Defence Safety Committee.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Apache attack helicopters are in service; and how many are due to become operational. [41379]
§ Mr. Ingram14 Apache attack helicopters have been accepted into service by the Army. A further three aircraft are engaged in trial work. The balance of 50 aircraft have yet to be delivered. We expect a maximum of 58 to he in use at any one time: 48 will be allocated to operational squadrons and 10 to the School of Army Aviation.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence in which operations the Apache helicopter has been used. [41381]
§ Mr. IngramThere have not been any United Kingdom Apache attack helicopters used in operations to date.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the armaments of the Apache helicopter and on how much each helicopter is worth. [41380]
§ Mr. IngramThe UK Apache helicopter will be armed with a combination of Hellfire Missiles, CRV7 rockets and a 30mm gun. The aircraft is being acquired through a combined development and production contract for the aircraft, support equipment and spares. As such, the contract does not specify a unit price. However, for internal resources accounting purposes, we have estimated the attribution of the contract price and this gives a value of some £27.5 million per aircraft. This estimate is based on necessarily subjective assessments and should not be regarded as an accurate replacement cost for the aircraft.