Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what steps he has taken to ensure that support workshare for the Boeing AH-64 Apache was awarded domestically.

An initial two-year package of support is being provided as part of the Foreign Military Sales agreement with the US Government for the Apache AH-64E. Beyond that, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) has stated its intent, wherever possible, to contract with the Boeing Company's UK entity, Boeing Defence UK (BDUK), for the Apache AH-64E long term training and support service (LTTSS) contract. The MOD is currently negotiating with BDUK over delivery of the LTTSS. This is expected to generate further sub-contracting opportunities for UK-based companies in due course.

Following an initial transitional phase, it is planned that all aircrew and maintainer training will be undertaken in the UK. The aircraft depth maintenance facility is also planned to be established in the UK, including engine overhaul, which would represent an increase in UK workshare over the current in-service Apache engine maintenance arrangements where engine overhaul activity is divided between the UK and France.