§ Mr. SarwarTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on current projections of cost and capability for the new aircraft carrier programme. [149775]
§ Mr. IngramThe Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF) programme is currently in its Assessment Phase. Decisions on the programme beyond that stage, including the capability which CVF will deliver, will be taken at the Main Gate investment point.
Our current estimate for the cost of the Demonstration and Manufacture contract is around £3 billion. These cost estimates will be further refined during the remainder of the Assessment Phase.