§ Mr. Wilkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he will make a statement on the selection of turboprop-powered aircraft to replace the piston-engined fixed wing communications aircraft currently in service with the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy; and when the new aircraft are planned to enter service with the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy, respectively.
§ Mr. PattieA tendering exercise has been undertaken in connection with the replacement of the present Royal Air Force Devon and Pembroke communications54W aircraft. Offers have been assessed but none of the tenders has been taken up. Separate negotiations are being pursued to provide the required aircraft and we aim to bring the negotiations to a conclusion as quickly as possible. The new aircraft are planned to enter service with the Royal Air Force in the early eighties.
No decision has yet been taken on a replacement for the Royal Navy's Sea Devon and Sea Heron aircraft, since it is not planned to replace these for some time.