§ 17. Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total value is of(a) operating and (b) planned private finance initiative/public-private partnership contracts relating to the Royal Air Force. [8367]
§ Dr. MoonieThe total value of the signed PFI deals which are specific to the RAF or where the RAF is the major user is around £850 million in net present value terms. It is not possible to make a meaningful estimate of the total through-life costs of planned PFI contracts at present. A number of projects are under consideration. They include the provision of our future air-to-air refuelling capability and the UK Military Flying Training Services, where the RAF will be a major customer. Each of these projects could involve through-life costs of £10 billion or over. The RAF has also benefited from tri-Service deals such as the provision of commercial vehicles, materials handling and the Defence Fixed Telecommunications Services.