HC Deb 15 November 1988 vol 140 cc623-4W
Mr. Cryer

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total cost of the replacement of(a) fixed-wing aircraft in every category lost or damaged since 1979 and (b) helicopters; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Freeman

[holding answer 14 November 1988]: It is now our practice not to publish unit production costs of equipment. For information on the costs of major equipment projects I refer the hon. Member to table 3.2 of volume 2 of the "Statement on Defence Estimates 1988" (Cm. 344-II).

The table provides information on current major equipment projects and covers work approved up to 31 March 1987, adjusted to take account of decisions since taken and other expenditure which is in clear prospect. In order to make the table suitable for publication in its entirety, the in-service dates have in a number of cases been expressed in broad terms and some cost figures have been rounded.

Project In-service date forecast or actual Cost1 (£ million) Years of peak expenditure
Nuclear weapons systems
Trident Mid 90s 9,043 Late 80s
Early 90s
Sea systems
Surface ships
T23 frigates Late 80s 1,190 1988–92
Mid 90s
Single Role Minehunter Late 80s 190 1990–92
Mid 90s
Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment Vessel Early 90s 300 1988–91
Submarines
Type 2400 "Upholder" 1988–93 620 Continuing to 1991
Nuclear propulsion
PWR2 1987 2410 Past
Surface weapon systems
Sea Dart missiles 1977 1,170 Past
Sea Wolf missiles 1979 470 Past
GWS25 Mod 3 Sea Wolf ship system 1986 250 Late 80s
GWS26 Mod 1 Early 90s 400 Late 80s
Vertical Launch Sea Wolf missile/ship system Mid 90s

Project In-service date forecast or actual Cost1 (£ million) Years of peak expenditure
Harpoon-surface launched Late 80s 160 Late 80s
Underwater weapon systems
Sting Ray 1983 1,880 Past
Spearfish Late 80s 1,300 Late 80s
Early 90s
Sonar 2016 1979 310 Past
Sonar 2054 Mid 90s 3310 Late 80s
Early 90s
Land Systems
Fighting vehicles
Challenger MBT 1984 660 Past
TOGS 1986 290 1986–89
Warrior MCV 1988 1,030 1987–94
Weapon systems
Milan 1977 830 Past
Rapier Field Standard B 1982 610 Past
Rapier Self Propelled 1984 1,450 Past
Rapier Field Standard C Mid 90s 1,400 90s
Blowpipe/Javelin 1975 610 Continuing
High Velocity Missile Early 90s 270 Early 90s
MLRS 1 Early 90s 550 Late 80s
Early 90s
LAW 80 1988 400 Late 80s
Early 90s
Communications
Ptarmigan 1986 1,400 Past
Air systems
Fixed Wing Aircraft
Tornado GR1 1980 10,260 Past
Tornado ADV 1984
E-3A AEW 1991 960 1988–92
Harrier GR5 1989 1,230 1987–90
Tristar First Batch 1986 210 Past
Helicopters
EH 101 Mid 90s 1,620 Mid 90s
Air weapons
Sky flash 1979 730 Past
Sea Eagle 1985 340 Past
ALARM Early 90s 610 Late 80s
JP 233 1986 890 1986–88
Electronic Systems
Foxhunter A1 radar 1985 800 Past
Communication Satellites
Skynet Stage 1 1988 360 1985–88
Costs are at average 1987–88 outturn prices, and cover development and production, except where otherwise noted.
2 Development only.
3 Also included in Trident entry.
4 Does not include the cost of the second batch referred to in paragraph 315 of Volume 1.