§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what savings will be made from the standing down of 5 Squadron. [49762]
§ Mr. IngramThe down declaration of 5 Squadron in October 2004 was assumed in the 1999 Eurofighter Force Planning Assumptions and was part of a series of measures related to the introduction of Eurofighter. The Squadron's down declaration was designed to release manpower and other resources to allow the build up of Eurofighter squadrons to begin. As such, 'savings' arising from the down declaration of 5 Squadron will be offset elsewhere in the Defence programme. The decision to down declare 5 Squadron early, by January 2003, was taken to produce a more effective and efficient Tornado F3 capability pending the arrival into RAF service of the Eurofighter. Its aircraft and most of the Squadron's personnel are being redistributed among the other Tornado F3 squadrons. However, savings of approximately £2 million over two years are expected.