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Written Question
Ukraine: Military Aid
Wednesday 24th May 2023

Asked by: Robert Courts (Conservative - Witney)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of providing basic training for Ukrainian pilots on the RAF pilot training programme.

Answered by James Heappey

Elementary flying training for Ukrainian pilots is being planned in a manner which will not impact core Sovereign UK pilot training.


Written Question
A400M Aircraft: Procurement
Tuesday 16th May 2023

Asked by: Robert Courts (Conservative - Witney)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an estimate of the number of (a) task lines the A400M fleet has been able to offer and (b) planned task line availability for each of the last 12 months.

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

Whilst the Hercules C-130J fleet will continue to drawdown, a number of the aircraft have sufficient remaining flying hours to enable an extended drawdown to 30 June 2023, maximising use of the fleet.

Atlas availability is being actively managed. There has been a steady improvement in aircraft availability and fleet resilience. Following direct intervention and a determined improvement campaign, the daily aircraft availability is approximately 25% greater compared to 18-months ago. A number of Atlas airframes will complete upgrade before the summer, adding to the available fleet.


Written Question
Hercules Aircraft
Tuesday 16th May 2023

Asked by: Robert Courts (Conservative - Witney)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an estimate of the number of (a) task lines the C130J fleet has been able to offer and (b) planned task line availability for each of the last 12 months.

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

Whilst the Hercules C-130J fleet will continue to drawdown, a number of the aircraft have sufficient remaining flying hours to enable an extended drawdown to 30 June 2023, maximising use of the fleet.

Atlas availability is being actively managed. There has been a steady improvement in aircraft availability and fleet resilience. Following direct intervention and a determined improvement campaign, the daily aircraft availability is approximately 25% greater compared to 18-months ago. A number of Atlas airframes will complete upgrade before the summer, adding to the available fleet.


Written Question
A400M Aircraft
Tuesday 16th May 2023

Asked by: Robert Courts (Conservative - Witney)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of the task line availability offered by C130J will be replaced by A400M on a one-for-one basis by 30 June 2023.

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

Whilst the Hercules C-130J fleet will continue to drawdown, a number of the aircraft have sufficient remaining flying hours to enable an extended drawdown to 30 June 2023, maximising use of the fleet.

Atlas availability is being actively managed. There has been a steady improvement in aircraft availability and fleet resilience. Following direct intervention and a determined improvement campaign, the daily aircraft availability is approximately 25% greater compared to 18-months ago. A number of Atlas airframes will complete upgrade before the summer, adding to the available fleet.


Written Question
Ukraine: Military Aid
Tuesday 16th May 2023

Asked by: Robert Courts (Conservative - Witney)

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what proportion of the air mobility fleet has been engaged in the movement of equipment and supplies to Ukraine since 1 December 2022.

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

We are one of the leading providers of military support for Ukraine and were the first country to donate modern main battle tanks and long-range precision strike missiles. In addition, we have provided millions of rounds of ammunition, hundreds of armoured and protected mobility vehicles and other equipment.

Across hundreds of flights delivering this support in the last year, the entire Air Mobility Force has been engaged in the movement of equipment, supplies and trained Ukrainian recruits.


Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 07 Nov 2022
Oral Answers to Questions

Speech Link

View all Robert Courts (Con - Witney) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions

Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 31 Oct 2022
Royal Navy: Conduct towards Women

Speech Link

View all Robert Courts (Con - Witney) contributions to the debate on: Royal Navy: Conduct towards Women

Speech in Commons Chamber - Thu 20 Oct 2022
Ukraine Update

Speech Link

View all Robert Courts (Con - Witney) contributions to the debate on: Ukraine Update

Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 16 Mar 2020
Oral Answers to Questions

Speech Link

View all Robert Courts (Con - Witney) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions

Speech in Commons Chamber - Mon 16 Mar 2020
Oral Answers to Questions

Speech Link

View all Robert Courts (Con - Witney) contributions to the debate on: Oral Answers to Questions