§ Patrick MercerTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if the Eurofighter will be delayed beyond the end of the year. [67706]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Eurofighter In Service Date (ISD) is dependent on industry's ability to deliver an aircraft that meets the nation's requirements. The programme is hugely complex and therefore some risks are inevitable. As I stated in the initial announcement of the delay on 23 May 2002,Official Report, column 478W, nations have reviewed the programme with industry and we have jointly concluded that the ISD should be achieved towards the end of the year.
§ Mr. JackTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on(a) how many Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft he plans to purchase for the RAF, (b) how many aircraft there will be in each tranche to be ordered and (c) when confirmation for each tranche is planned to be completed; and what the equivalent plans were for Eurofighter procurement as at November 1998. [69862]
§ Dr. Moonie[holding answer 15 July 2002]The Ministry of Defence plans to purchase a total of 232 Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft for the Royal Air Force. The
157Wcontractual commitment for the first 55 aircraft was made in 1998. The order for a second tranche of 89 aircraft is planned for 2003; and we plan to order a third tranche of 88 aircraft in 2007. The planned numbers and timings are unchanged from those in place in November 1998.