§ 21. Lawrie QuinnTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many new aircraft his Department plans to procure for the RAF; and if he will make a statement. [1203]
§ 39. Mr. John SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many new aircraft his Department plans to procure for the RAF; and if he will make a statement. [1221]
§ Dr. MoonieIncluding aircraft on order, we currently plan to acquire 232 Eurofighter multi-role aircraft; 25 A400M transport aircraft; 25 C130J transport aircraft; 21 Nimrod maritime patrol aircraft; eight Chinook Mark 3 support helicopters; 22 Merlin Mark 3 support helicopters, and five modified Global Express jets to carry Airborne Stand-Off Radar. We will also lease four C-17 transport aircraft.
In addition, there are several projects where the exact number of aircraft which the RAF will use has still to be determined. These include: the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft; the Future Joint Combat Aircraft; the Future Offensive Air System; the Support, Amphibious and Battlefield Rotorcraft; and the UK Military Flying Training System programmes. Some of these programmes are planned to involve PFI solutions where the aircraft will not be owned by the Ministry of Defence.