Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent estimate his Department has made of the initial operating capability date for the E-7 Wedgetail.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The E-7 Wedgetail is expected to enter service with the RAF in 2025. The finalised date for In-Service, Initial Operating Capability and Full Operating Capability remains subject to approval in the Full Business Case which was submitted as planned in March 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent estimate his Department has made of the initial operating capability date for the Boxer-related 155mm artillery system in the Army.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The Army aims to achieve a Mobile Fires Platform Minimum Deployable Capability within this decade and continues to examine options to accelerate the procurement process and delivery.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Typhoon aircraft are based in the Falkland Islands; and what tranche of Typhoon aircraft these are.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

There are four RAF Typhoon aircraft permanently stationed in the Falkland Islands. The details on Tranche are held at a higher classification.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent estimate his Department has made of the initial operating capability date for the Archer 155mm artillery system.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The current approved Initial Operating Capability for Archer 6x6 is 31 October 2024.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Type 45 destroyers are (a) operationally available, (b) in refit and (c) undergoing the power improvement project upgrade programme.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

HMS Diamond, HMS Duncan and HMS Dauntless are all currently available for operations. HMS Daring, HMS Dragon, and HMS Defender are all currently at various stages of the Power and Propulsion Programme.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost is of the CH-47ER programme.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

Portfolio data is published annually in support of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) Annual Report which includes a budget baseline and the latest HM Treasury approved estimates in respect of whole life costs.

The current report is available here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications//infrastructure-and-projects-authority-annual-report-2022-23

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost is of the P-8 Poseidon programme.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

In regard to the cost of the P-8 Poseidon programme, I refer to the answer given on 23 October 2023 to Question 200750.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost is of the new boxer-related 155mm artillery programme.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I am unable to confirm the cost of the programme as it is subject to negotiation.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many 155mm artillery pieces are in operational service with the Army.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I am withholding this information as the figures for artillery systems held by the Ministry of Defence are to be published at an undetermined future date. This information will be published in the form of the UK Armed Forces Equipment and Formations 2024, which will be accessible here

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/uk-armed-forces-equipment-and-formations

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what recent estimate he has made of when RFA Fort Victoria will (a) complete her refit and maintenance and (b) re-join the operational fleet.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the right hon. Member to the answer I gave on 22 April 2024 to Question 21373 for the hon. Member for Plymouth, Sutton and Devonport (Mr Pollard).

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost is of the CH-47 programme.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

For the current CH-47 Chinook fleet which has been in-service for the UK since 1980 the annual core sustainment costs are circa £160 million.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the total cost is of the Boeing RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The total cost of the three RC-135 Rivet Joint (RAF Airseeker) aircraft is an estimated £576 million..

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost is of the AH-64E Apache programme.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

The initial procurement of the UK Apache 64E utilised US Government Foreign Military Sales and is currently forecast to cost is £1.793 billion against an approval of £1.999 billion. The long term training and support for Apache 64E is supplied by Boeing Defence UK and the current five year Long Term Training and Support Contract has a value of £341,199,072.50. This does not include operating costs of the Apache 64E which are accounted for separately.

Found: Djanogly MP (Conservative, Huntingdon ) Mrs Flick Drummond MP (Conservative, Meon Valley ) Rt Hon Mark

Found: Watch the meeting Members present: Sir Jeremy Quin (Chair); Sarah Atherton; Richard Drax; Mark Francois

Found: Djanogly MP (Conservative, Huntingdon ) Mrs Flick Drummond MP (Conservative, Meon Valley ) Rt Hon Mark

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what his latest estimate is of the (a) cost and (b) delivery timetable for the E& aircraft.

Answered by James Cartlidge - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)

I refer the right hon. Member to the answers I gave on 30 April 2024 to the right hon. Member for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mark Francois), to Question 23416; and on 29 April 2024 to the right hon. Member for Garston and Halewood (Maria Eagle), to Question 23108.

Found: Offord Mr Marcus Fysh Lee Anderson Sir William Cash Lia Nici Marco Longhi Elizabeth Truss Mr Mark

Found: Jess Phillips Ben Lake Dame Caroline Dinenage Sammy Wilson Sir Paul Beresford Nickie Aiken Mr Mark

Found: Bob Blackman Jess Phillips Ben Lake Dame Caroline Dinenage Sir Paul Beresford Nickie Aiken Mr Mark

Found: Smith Jason McCartney Kate Osborne Dame Diana Johnson Sir Paul Beresford Nickie Aiken Mr Mark

Found: Smith Jason McCartney Kate Osborne Dame Diana Johnson Sir Paul Beresford Nickie Aiken Mr Mark

Found: Smith Jason McCartney Kate Osborne Dame Diana Johnson Sir Paul Beresford Nickie Aiken Mr Mark