Harrier Departmental Fleet

HL Deb 12 March 2002 vol 632 c67WA

Lord Vivian

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the current total number of Fleet Air Arm Harriers and RAF Harriers GR7; and what will be the number in the future after the proposed cuts. [HL3076]

Lord Bach

On 4 March 2002, there were 54 Sea Harriers and 86 RAF Harriers in the Harrier Departmental Fleet. The Harrier Departmental Fleet is the total number of Harrier aircraft owned by the Ministry of Defence and includes aircraft from the operational fleet, sustainment fleet, training fleet and aircraft owned by QinetiQ. Following the withdrawal from service of the Sea Harrier between 2004 and 2006, the Sea Harrier element of the departmental fleet will be nil, and the RAF Harrier element is planned to be 86.