Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Merlin helicopters owned by his Department are (a) in active service, (b) held in reserve and (c) undergoing conversion as part of the Crowsnest AEW helicopter programme.

The Department has 30 Merlin Mark 2 helicopters operated by the Royal Navy and 25 Merlin Mark4/4A helicopters operated by the Commando Helicopter Force. A proportion of these airframes will be undergoing planned extended maintenance at any given time.

We do not comment on the number of aircraft active or in maintenance at any specific time, as to do so would, or would be likely to, prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces. None are held in reserve.

Regarding the number undergoing CROWSNEST conversion, I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given to him by my predecessor on 13 December 2022 to Question number 102826.