§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the expected in-service dates are for(a) the Eurofighter, (b) HMS Albion and Bulwark, (c) the Future Aircraft Carrier, (d) the Bowman communication system and (e) the Trigat anti-tank weapon; and if he will make a statement. [94786]
§ Mr. Hoon[holding answer 20 October 1999]: The in-service date of Eurofighter, which is defined as delivery of the first aircraft, is June 2002.
The in-service dates of HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark are currently planned as March 2002 and March 2003 respectively. We are, however, aware that programme congestion at the shipyard will entail some slippage to these dates. The true extent of the slippage will not be known until Marconi Naval Systems, the contractor, has agreed a revised programme with the Defence Procurement Agency. Initiatives to minimise the slippage are being pursued.
The in-service dates of the Future Aircraft Carriers are planned to be 2012 and 2015.
The in-service date of Bowman is March 2002. The date is, however, under review and I will write to the hon. Member when the review is complete.
The in-service date of Medium Range Trigat is 2005.