§ Mr. Gerald HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the leased C-17 aircraft; and who bears the cost, under the contract, should an aircraft be lost as a result of pilot error or in combat. [183405]
§ Mr. CaplinAt the conclusion of the current lease arrangement, we intend to buy the current fleet of four aircraft. We intend to purchase a further aircraft bringing our C-17 fleet up to five aircraft.
In the meantime, should a leased aircraft be lost as a result of pilot error or in combat, the contractual agreement requires that the Ministry of Defence pay the residual value and fulfil the remaining lease payments.