HC Deb 04 February 2004 vol 417 cc888-9W
Dr. Julian Lewis

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the overall allocation is of night-vision goggles to the(a) Royal Navy and Royal Marines, (b) Army and (c) Royal Air Force. [149878]

Mr. Ingram

[holding answer 22 January 2004]: NVGs used by aircrew are not allocated on a Service basis. NVGs are issued to Front Line Commands according to operational requirements and as such, the numbers vary on a day to day basis. As at 31 December 2003, 307 aircrew NVGs were held by CINFLEET, 882 by Joint Helicopter Command (which operates both Army and RAF helicopters) and 865 by RAF Strike Command. A further 287 aircrew NVGs were undergoing repair or maintenance at designated regional repair facilities. NVGs can be operated only in helicopters that have been specifically modified for this role and are fitted to allow operation with NVGs according to their tactical role in operations.

In addition to aircrew NVGs the following quantities of night vision weapon sights and goggles are held:

  • Royal Navy: 455, of which 178 are Weapon sights and 277 are head mounted goggles.
  • Royal Marines: 1,553, of which 855 are Weapon sights and 698 are head mounted goggles.
  • Army: 18,541, of which 13,000 are Weapon sights and 5,541 are head mounted goggles.
  • Royal Air Force: 1,630, of which 1,232 are Weapon sights and 398 are head mounted goggles.