Written question asked by Angus Robertson (Scottish National Party) on Wednesday, 23 June 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 28 June 2010. It was answered by Peter Luff (Conservative) on Thursday, 1 July 2010 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Military Aircraft: Procurement

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will estimate the cost of cancelling the (a) purchase of the RC-135 Rivet Joint aircraft and (b) Future Rapid Effect System Specialist Vehicles contract.

Answer: The overall cost of the RC-135 Rivet Joint Project, through life, is circa £1.2 billion and at this early stage of the project life cycle any cancellation costs would be a small fraction of this. Rivet Joint is being acquired through the US Foreign Military Sales process which allows customers to withdraw at any time on payment of all costs incurred to date, and any unavoidable liabilities held by the US Government and its contractors.On 1 July 2001, the Ministry of Defence announced that a demonstration phase contract for Specialist Vehicles had been signed. The cost of a subsequent cancellation would be agreed with the contractor with the Department paying fair and reasonable costs and liabilities at the time of the cancellation.

Secondary information