Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what level of serviceable aircraft availability Leonardo are contracted to provide; and whether they are meeting that standard.

Leonardo is contracted to support Apache Mk 1, Merlin Mk 2 and Mk 4/4A and Wildcat Mk 1 and Mk 2 aircraft for the Ministry of Defence.

Leonardo is contracted to make available 26 Mk 2 Merlin helicopters to support the Merlin Helicopter Force (MHF) and 21 Mk 4 Merlin helicopters to support the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF). Leonardo is currently providing MHF with 20 aircraft. This is due to a backlog in providing Depth maintenance for six Merlin Mk 2 helicopters. This shortfall is being addressed by prioritising Merlin Mk 2 maintenance and as a result Leonardo is currently providing CHF with 22 Merlin Mk4/4A aircraft, an increase on the contracted target.

Leonardo is contracted to deliver 14 Apache Mk 1 to the Army Squadrons and is meeting this target.

Leonardo is contracted to provide a forward fleet of 24 Wildcat Mk 1 aircraft which has been met without fail during this Financial Year. Wildcat Mk 2 contracted numbers vary from month to month, dependent on the Navy's choice of when to complete capability upgrades, repairs, and trials, but the target is typically between 19 and 21. Leonardo met the requirement in most months this year.