Libya (Operation Ellamy)

Thursday 8th December 2011 Written Statements

[The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr Philip Hammond)]

In a written statement on 23 June 2011, Official Report, column 24WS, my predecessor the right hon. Member for North Somerset (Dr Fox) informed the House that the costs of Operation Ellamy—the United Kingdom’s contribution to coalition operations in Libya in support of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1973—for the six months from mid-March to mid-September were estimated to be £120 million. In addition, an estimated cost of replenishing munitions of up to £140 million.

On 12 October 2011, Official Report, column 30WS, my predecessor revised the figure for the whole operation, from mid-March to mid-December, to £160 million with an estimate of the cost of replenishing munitions used in Libya at £140 million.

I have previously informed the House, on 14 November 2011, Official Report, column 568, that I would provide a final estimate of the cost of operations in Libya in early December. With operations now over we estimate that the net additional cost of Operation Ellamy will be £212 million. This estimate is made up of £145 million of operating costs, plus a further £67 million on the cost of replenishing munitions.

As previously announced, the additional costs incurred by the Ministry of Defence on Operation Ellamy will be borne by the reserve, and will be in addition to the core defence budget. The fully audited cost of Operation Ellamy will be published in the Ministry of Defence’s annual report and accounts.