§ Lord Gilbertasked Her Majesty's Government:
How much they anticipate saving (a) in the current financial year and (b) in subsequent financial years from the discovery that Tornado aircraft can be loaded inside a C17 transport for roulement purposes. [HL4217]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Lord Bach)The RAF's decision to use the C17 from December 2001 to transport its Tornado F3 to the Falkland Islands is expected to release approximately 324 flying hours and 300 man 115WA hours per roulement. These resources are being redeployed by the RAF to undertake training and other tasks, so a cash saving will not accrue. Each of the four Tornado aircraft are returned to the United Kingdom for servicing every 18 months and a turnover of approximately one aircraft every nine months is planned.