§ Mrs. EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what negotiations he is currently holding about replacements for Nimrod aircraft; and when he expects to make an announcement as to their effect on RAF bases in the United Kingdom. [78250]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 24 March I999]: The in-service date, ISD, for the RAF's new maritime patrol aircraft, Nimrod MRA4, which is currently under development by BAe, is April 2003. Resource and technical difficulties with the programme at BAe have led the company to advise that they do not expect to achieve the ISD before early 2005. Negotiations are underway on revisions to the Nimrod MRA4 contract, which will include recovery of liquidated damages for late delivery. The current Nimrod MR2 aircraft will continue to provide the UK's maritime patrol capability until the Nimrod MRA4 aircraft are delivered to RAF Kinloss. The delay is not, therefore, expected to have a significant effect on the current operations of RAF Kinloss.
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