§ Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is his latest estimate of the cost at current prices of each multi-rôle combat aircraft, the additional cost of the British version, the amount so far spent in addition on research and development and the additional amount so to be spent, the total number of aeroplanes of each category to be ordered and over what period; and if, in view of recent Government policies, he will end the project.
45W
§ Mr. MasonI refer my hon. Friend to the reply that I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead, East (Mr. Conlan) on 5th March.
At the economic conditions and exchange rates applying to the 1976–77 Estimates, the estimated unit production costs are £5.29 million for the common strike version and £6.5 million for the British air defence version. United Kingdom development expenditure to the end of 1975 was £255 million. The United Kingdom requirement is for 385 aircraft of both versions. It is not the practice to give the number of combat aircraft in each rôle or to reveal forward estimates of development costs or the details of future programmes. The orders for the aircraft will, however, be spread over a considerable number of years. The Government defence policy accords high priority to the project.