Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by David Leslie Taylor (Labour). It was answered on Monday, 21 July 2008 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Helicopters

Question: In 2004, the Public Accounts Committee described the acquisition of the eight Chinook mark 3 helicopters for £259 million as one of the worst examples of equipment procurement it had ever seen. Since then, we have seen the reversion project and the night enhancement package, which will push the total cost well above £500 million. Will the Secretary of State tell us what lessons have been learned from the whole saga? When will we see the eight Chinook mark 3 helicopters fully operational in Afghanistan and elsewhere?

Answer: The work done on the Chinook helicopters is on track and on budget. The work having been completed, it is intended that the first helicopter will be released early in 2009, and the rest will become available progressively thereafter. They will enhance our existing fleet of Chinook helicopters, and my written statement to the House on 20 May set out the detail of how we intend to deploy them. My hon. Friend asks what lessons have been learned. The lesson that should be learned is not to overcomplicate our procurement. We did not order the helicopters, but when they were delivered they were of such complexity that they could not be certificated as safe to fly under the then regulations. After valiant attempts to overcome that, when I became Secretary of State I took the decision that they would be better converted to mark 2 Chinooks. That was the right decision, as subsequent reports have confirmed.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 479 c513-4
Session: 2007-08
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Peacekeeping operations Afghanistan Iraq Helicopters Military aircraft
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk