Written question asked by Andrew Rosindell (Conservative) on Tuesday, 20 March 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 22 March 2007. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Tuesday, 27 March 2007 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress is being made with the development of the US-UK Joint Strike Fighter; and how much the project has cost.

Answer: The Joint Strike Fighter programme remains on schedule with the first development aircraft completing its ninth flight including full after-burner test in flight. The UK has now received the necessary assurances on technology transfer from the US; this will allow the UK to meet its operational sovereignty requirements. The next phase of the programme has now come into effect, with the UK, US and other international partners having signed up to the production, sustainment and follow-on development MOU with the US.At February 2007 £1.062 billion has been incurred on the JSF project covering concept, assessment and demonstration phases.

Secondary information