Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the estimated cost of the F-35 fighter was when the Government placed its order for the aircraft.
Answered by Guto Bebb
When the Ministry of Defence placed its order for the procurement and support of 48 F-35 aircraft in 2001, the total approved budget for the UK F-35 programme was £9.1 billion out to 2026-27. The programme remains within its budget. F-35 aircraft are procured in lots, the costs of which are individually negotiated by the F-35 Joint Program Office on behalf of the partner nations. The UK's first aircraft was delivered in 2012 and the cost was $161 million. The Joint Program Office is continuing to drive down overall programme costs through improved effectiveness and efficiency, which is demonstrated by a 25% reduction in aircraft flyaway costs since 2012.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to the public purse is to date of the F-35 fighter.
Answered by Guto Bebb
Expenditure on the UK F-35 Lightning programme is published on gov.uk as part of the Government Major Projects Portfolio.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many F-35 aircraft his Department plans to purchase.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin
I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 2 November 2017 to Question 109656 to the hon. Member for Dunfermline and West Fife (Mr Chapman).
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the Government has indicated to the Governments of Brazil and of Chile that HMS Albion and HMS Bulwark may become available for purchase.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin
The Government has not indicated to either the Government of Brazil or of Chile that HMS ALBION and HMS BULWARK may become available for purchase.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, where the maintenance of the F-35B aircraft will take place.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin
The UK will undertake maintenance of the F-35 aircraft at RAF Marham when the aircraft arrives in 2018. In the event that any maintenance is required which cannot be conducted at RAF Marham then this will be conducted at one of a number of locations around the world as part of the Global Support Solution.
Defence Electronics and Components Agency Sealand has been chosen by the F-35 Joint Programme Office as the global repair hub for avionic and aircraft components for all F-35 Lightning aircraft.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, on what date his Department plans to publish its response to the Better Compensation consultation; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The Government’s ‘Better Combat Consultation’ public consultation ran from 1 December 2016 to 23 February of this year. The Government is considering the views expressed during the consultation carefully and will publish a response in due course.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether the new P-8 Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft are planned to provide 24-hour cover for the UK's nuclear deterrent and aircraft carriers.
Answered by Lord Lancaster of Kimbolton
The P-8A Poseidon will provide protection to the UK's nuclear deterrent and aircraft carriers in concert with a variety of other capabilities.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many P-8 Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft will be purchased.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin
As stated in the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015 we are procuring nine P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to produce a new chapter for the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review.
Answered by Michael Fallon
The Government conducted a comprehensive Strategic Defence and Security Review in 2015. However, the evolving global security situation means we constantly keep under review the best way to keep Britain safe.
Asked by: Wayne David (Labour - Caerphilly)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has to produce a new Strategic Defence and Security Review.
Answered by Michael Fallon
The Government conducted a comprehensive Strategic Defence and Security Review in 2015. However, the evolving global security situation means we constantly keep under review the best way to keep Britain safe.