§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to order(a) the Eurofighter and (b) heavy lift transport aircraft; and if he will make a statement. [18796]
§ Dr. MoonieIn respect of Eurofighter, the order for the first tranche of aircraft, including 55 for the United Kingdom, was placed in 1998. The contracts for the second and final tranches are expected to be placed during 2003 and 2007, respectively.
On A400M, the UK, together with other nations, signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Paris Air Show in June 2001 covering the development and production phase 351W of the A400M military transport aircraft. Negotiation of the associated commercial contract is almost complete and the aim is to sign it by the end of this year.