Written question asked by Jim Murphy (Labour) on Friday, 9 September 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 14 September 2011. It was answered by Peter Luff (Conservative) on Wednesday, 14 September 2011 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Statement by the Prime Minister of 19 October 2010, Official Report, column 801, and with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for North Durham, of 20 July 2011, Official Report, column 1140W, on joint strike fighter aircraft, what the evidential basis is for the statement that the carrier version of the joint strike fighter will be less expensive than the version commissioned by the previous Administration.

Answer: All cost data provided by both the Joint Strike Fighter F35 contractors and the US Department of Defense indicate that the average unit price for the carrier variant will be lower than that estimated for the Short Take Off and Vertical Landing variant. These costs are supported by latest production data and are independently validated both in the US and UK.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 71804; 532 c1206W
Session: 2010-12
Related items: Strategic Defence and Security Review
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Proceeding contributions
House of Commons; Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft
Wednesday, 20 July 2011
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: F-35 aircraft
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk