Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 24 June to Question 266855 on Future Large Aircraft, what the cost to the public purse is of the anticipated work programme to improve the reliability of the A400M; what the planned length of time is for the completion of that programme; what the key features are of that programme; and whether that work programme will take place at RAF Brize Norton.

There is no additional cost to the public purse of the work programme to improve the reliability of the A400M, which is funded by industry. This is planned to conclude by the third quarter of 2020 and will comprise work to upgrade the engines, gearboxes and the Bleed Air Leak Detection System. A separate package of work will provide an avionics update. The work is being undertaken both at RAF Brize Norton and Airbus facilities in Spain (Seville and Getafe).