§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) when hovercraft were last used in military operations by British forces and in what way; and if he will make a statement on hovercraft capability; [116240]
(2) what assessment has been made of the value of hovercraft to amphibious and other military operations; how many are in service with the armed forces; if there are plans to increase numbers; and if he will make a statement. [116239]
§ Mr. IngramHovercraft were used during the recent operations in Iraq for tasks including reconnaissance and mine clearance. The advantages of hovercraft include speed, the ability to access a higher percentage of beaches than conventional craft, the ability to travel over small obstacles and in shallow water and a relatively high level of immunity from the threat of mines.
Currently, the Royal Marines (539ASRM) operate four Griffon 2000 TDX hovercraft. They have the capacity to lift 12 fully equipped troops or 2 x 1000kg pallets of stores and are capable of deployment in C130 Hercules aircraft. It is expected that the current fleet of hovercraft will be replaced in around 2007. There are no 54W plans at present to increase overall numbers, although this will be kept under review, for example, in light of lessons learned from operations in Iraq.
§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent research has been undertaken in developing the hovercraft; and what finance was allocated to this research. [116241]
§ Mr. IngramNo funding has recently been allocated to developing the hovercraft. The technology is well established and suitable craft are available as military off-the-shelf procurements or as modifications of commercial civilian designs.
§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations have been made by(a) private developers and (b) British forces representatives about the military use of hovercraft; and what discussions have taken place with manufacturing companies in the United States and United Kingdom regarding the development of hovercraft. [116242]
§ Mr. IngramThere have been a number of routine fact-finding visits and meetings involving Ministry of Defence personnel and representatives of industry to establish the military utility of Hovercraft. These have included representations by companies based in the United Kingdom and United States. Most recently the Griffon 8000TD Hovercraft, a larger version of the 2000 TDX hovercraft current used by Royal Marines, was demonstrated to UK Military staff on 15 May 2003.