§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) Tornado GR1, (b) Tornado GR4 and (c) Tornado F3 in Oman for Saif Sareea II are (i) fully serviceable, (ii) undergoing first line maintenance, (iii) undergoing second line maintenance and (iv) undergoing third and fourth line maintenance; and if he will make a statement. [8478]
§ Mr. Hoon[holding answer 18 October 2001]The operational serviceability of frontline aircraft will vary from hour to hour. Overall, the Tornado fleet deployed on exercise Saif Sareea has performed fully in line with expectations, despite the testing environmental conditions.
As of 17 October, nine of the 12 Tornado GR4s and 11 of the 12 Tornado F3s were fully serviceable. One Tornado GR4a is awaiting return to the UK. The balance of the Tornado force is undergoing first line maintenance and is expected to return to full serviceability shortly.
There are no Tornado GR1 aircraft deployed on exercise Saif Sareea.
§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many(a) Tornado GR1, (b) Tornado GR4 and (c) Tornado F3 are in Oman for Saif Sareea II; and if he will make a statement. [8477]
§ Mr. Hoon[holding answer 18 October 2001]There are 13 Tornado GR4 and 12 Tornado F3 aircraft in Oman for Exercise Saif Sareea 11. These aircraft are making an important contribution to the exercise. No Tornado GR1 aircraft are deployed.
§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many missions have been flown by(a) Tornado GR1s, (b) Tornado GR4s and (c) Tornado F3s as part of Saif Sareea II to date; how many missions which have involved (i) Tornado GR1s, (ii) Tornado GR4s and (iii) Tornado F3s as part of Saif Sareea II have been (1) cancelled and (2) reduced due to (A) serviceability shortfalls and (B) technical malfunctions in the aircraft; and if he will make a statement. [8479]
§ Mr. Hoon[holding answer 18 October 2001]There are no Tornado GR1 aircraft deployed on Exercise Saif Sareea II. The Tornado GR4, GR4a and F3 aircraft deployed have, despite the very demanding environmental conditions, performed fully in line with expectations and have made a full and effective contribution to the exercise.
Details correct up to 16 October are set out in the table.
Missions Tornado GR4/4a Tornado F3 Planned 271 208 Flown 209 191 Cancelled for serviceability 28 11 Cancelled for technical reasons 30 6 Reduced for serviceability 10 20 Reduced for technical reasons 4 19