Written question asked by Angus Robertson (Scottish National Party) on Monday, 10 October 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 12 October 2011. It was answered by Nick Harvey (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 19 October 2011 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Libya: Armed Conflict

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) sorties and (b) hours have been flown by UK (i) Typhoon, (ii) Tornado GR4, (iii) E-3D, (iv) VC10, (v) BAe 146, (vi) HS125, (vii) C-130 Hercules, (viii) Chinook HC2, (ix) C-17, (x) Tristar, (xi) Apache AH1, (xii) Sea King ASAC.7, (xiii) Lynx HMA.8, (xiv) Merlin HMA.1 and (xv) Sea King HC.4 aircraft during Operation Ellamy to date.

Answer: From the beginning of current operations in Libya up to 6 October 2011, UK aircraft have flown total of around 2,900 combat and combat support sorties lasting a total of around 17,350 hours. Of these totals, the UK has flown around 2,000 strike sorties, including Fast Jet and Attack Helicopter, lasting a total of around 10,580 hours.Combat operations include: Tornado GR4; Typhoon FGR4; and Apache AH 1.Combat support operations include: Sentinel R1; Nimrod R1; Sentry AEW 1; VC10K3; VC10C1K; Tristar K; Maritime Helicopters (Lynx and Sea King ASAC.7); C130; and C-17.The hours included for C130 and C-17 are for flights that landed in Libya only. Further flights in support of Operation Ellamy have been flown to and from Italy and Cyprus. However, the information on the hours and sortie numbers of these flights is not held in the format requested.I am withholding information regarding sorties or hours flown for individual aircraft type as their disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the armed forces.

Secondary information