§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are being taken to eliminate the slippage in defence contracts with particular reference to slippage in Nimrod; when it is estimated that all Nimrod 4 aircraft will be operational; and how many are currently available for operation. [131591]
§ Dr. MoonieThis is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Alex Salmond, dated 25 July 2000:
I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about slippage in the Nimrod MRA4 programme. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.You asked what steps are being taken to eliminate the slippage in the Nimrod MRA4 programme. The Nimrod MRA4 contract was let with BAE SYSTEMS in December 1996 with an In-Service Date (ISD) of April 2003. Following technical and resource problems, BAE SYSTEMS advised the Defence Procurement Agency (DPA) in late 1998 that they could not meet this date. In May 1999, following extensive negotiations the contract was re-baselined with an ISD of March 2005, a delay of 23 months and with the MoD securing various benefits in compensation.The DPA are working very closely with BAE SYSTEMS to ensure that all possible measures are taken to support delivery of the full operational capability in the required timescales, consistent with a March 2005 ISD.You also asked how many Nimrod MRA4 aircraft are currently in service. Nimrod MRA4 is due to enter operational service in August 2004. The In Service Date (ISD) of March 2005 marks the delivery of the 7th aircraft, with the 21st and final aircraft due for delivery in December 2008.