Written question asked by Marquess of Lothian (Conservative) on Monday, 28 November 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 30 November 2005. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Thursday, 8 December 2005 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Helicopters

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) Lynx AH 7 and (b) Lynx AH 9 helicopters are fit for operations; what his plans are for the cannibalisation of army and navy helicopters during the next 12 months; and how many (i) Lynx AH 7 and (ii) Lynx AH 9 helicopters have been cannibalised in the last two years.

Answer

In October 2005, 31 Lynx AH Mk 7 and eight Lynx AH Mk 9 helicopters were defined as Fit for Purpose (FFP). As stated in my answer of 28 November 2005, Official Report, column 120W, the numbers of helicopters that have been cannibalised is not held centrally. Records are maintained only of the total number of times that cannibalisation has taken place. The following table shows this information for Lynx AH Mk 7 and Mk 9, for the periods November 2003 to October 2004 and for November 2004 to October 2005.

	Aircraft type
Total cannibalizations	Lynx AH Mk 7	Lynx AH Mk 9
November 2003-October 2004	463	37
November 2004-October 2005	573	108
Last two years	1,036	145

All instances of cannibalisation of Royal Navy, Army and RAF helicopters are authorised and undertaken in accordance with clearly defined regulations. This process will continue to be employed where appropriate.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 33405; 440 c1497W;440 c1497W
Session: 2005-06
Related items: Helicopters
Monday, 28 November 2005
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Army Helicopters Navy Military aircraft Repairs and maintenance Lynx helicopters
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk

Helicopters

Secondary information

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