HC Deb 12 May 2000 vol 349 cc510-1W
Mr. Duncan Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many Merlin operators have been accepted into service; [121606]

(2) how many further deliveries of Merlin operators are anticipated during the next (a) six months, (b) 12 months, (c) 18 months and (d) 24 months. [121607]

Mr. Spellar

[holding answer 11 May 2000]: There are two Merlin programmes, namely the Merlin Mk1 Anti-Submarine Warfare Helicopter and the Merlin Mk3 Support Helicopter.

To date 12 Merlin Mk1s have been accepted into service, but no Mk3s.

The following further Merlin deliveries into service are anticipated in the periods in the question (figures are shown cumulatively):

  1. (a) Five Mk1 and seven Mk3 within six months;
  2. (b) 12 Mk1 and 11 Mk3 within 12 months;
  3. (c) 18 Mk1 and 16 Mk3 within 18 months;
  4. (d) 29 Mk1 and 22 Mk3 within 24 months.