Apache Attack Helicopter

HC Deb 30 October 2000 vol 355 c269W

19. Mr. David Stewart

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the Apache attack helicopter will enter into service. [133003]

Mr. Spellar

The Apache attack helicopter is on schedule to enter service in December this year, when the ninth aircraft is delivered. This date has not altered from when the Apache prime contract was placed in 1996 and its achievement will be a significant milestone on the road to the Army achieving the operational availability of the first squadron of Apaches in late 2002.