§ Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on(a) the current and (b) the future projected roles of the Royal Navy's (i) Merlin, (ii) Sea King and (iii) Lynx helicopters. [92898]
§ Mr. IngramThe Royal Navy's Merlin Mark 1 helicopters provide an advanced anti-submarine search and attack capability, as well as wider utility in surface surveillance, Search and Rescue (SAR) and support838W roles. Merlin achieved its Initial Operating Capability deployed in HMS Ark Royal in June 2002, and has completed a successful embarkation in the Type 23 Frigate, HMS Lancaster. It will provide a crucial component of both open ocean and littoral operations for the foreseeable future.
The Sea King has provided the backbone of the Royal Navy's anti-submarine capability over the last three decades, but is being progressively withdrawn from service as Merlin becomes operational. The Sea King Airborne Early Warning Mark 2 has been upgraded to Mark 7 to provide enhanced airborne surveillance and control for air defence into the next decade. The Sea King Mark 4, supplemented by the conversion of some Mark 6 aircraft, will continue to provide a support helicopter capability, primarily for three Commando Brigade Royal Marines, until the turn of the decade. The Sea King Mark 5 will provide a SAR capability well into the next decade.
Lynx Mark 3 and Mark 8 aircraft provide surveillance and attack capability from assigned frigates and destroyers. This includes surface surveillance and targeting, anti-surface and anti-submarine weapon delivery, and battle damage assessment, as well as key elements of frigates' and destroyers' SAR, humanitarian support and constabulary capabilities. The Surface Combatant Maritime Rotorcraft (SCMR) will be phased into service during the second half of the decade to succeed and enhance the capability currently provided by the Lynx Mark 3 and Mark 8 helicopters.