§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RAF aircraft have been assigned to Operation 517W Southern Watch; how many were fully serviceable in (a) May 2002, (b) August 2002 and (c) November 2002; and if he will make a statement. [85373]
§ Mr. Ingram[holding answer 9 December 2002]: The number of airframes assigned to Operation Resinate— the United Kingdom contribution to Operation Southern Watch—depends on the operational task, which may change. In each of May, August and November 2002 the number varied between 15 and 17.
Serviceability varies daily, and is collated at weekly reporting points. The figures below are indicative, based on the closest flying day to the first reporting point of each month.
On 2 May 2002 three airframes were unserviceable.On 2 August 2002 two airframes were unserviceable.On 7 November 2002 no airframes were unserviceable.Unserviceability is usually corrected by straightforward maintenance prior to the next mission. Through the period from May 2002 to date unserviceability has had no significant impact on our ability to meet the operational task.