Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will set out the remaining lifespan of each RAF Chinook airframe in service.

There are currently eight HC5, 14 HC6 and 29 HC6A Chinook variants in service.

I am withholding the information relating to the remaining lifespan of each Chinook airframe in service as its disclosure would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.

I can, however, reemphasise that the retirement of the 14 oldest Chinook helicopters will be synchronised with the delivery of 14 new state-of-the-art Chinook H-47 Extended Range aircraft from 2027 onwards.