§ 12. Mr. WilkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the RAF's requirement for heavy-lift transport aircraft. [96133]
§ Mr. KilfoyleThe Strategic Defence Review concluded that we needed to improve our strategic airlift, to allow us to move forces quickly to an overseas theatre. We are considering solutions to both our short and long-term requirements. In the short term, we expect to do this through acquiring four C-17 aircraft or their equivalents. In the longer term, we would need a suitable replacement for our remaining transport aircraft. We expect to make an announcement early next year.