Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 16 April 2024 to Question 20584 on Air Force: Training, what constitutes a Front Line Operational Conversion Unit; what the average cost of such a Unit was in each year since 2018-19; and how many such Units the RAF had in each such year.

Operational Conversion Units (OCU) support operational output through type specific training on front line aircraft for aircrew, engineers and other ground personnel as required. They also provide refresher training for personnel who have previously operated the aircraft type and are returning to the type following other tours of duty in the wider Service.

The average costs of Operational Conversion Units are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Between 2018 and 2023 there were five OCUs. In 2023 a sixth OCU was formed.