§ Mr. CryerTo 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.
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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.