Written question asked by Gordon Prentice (Labour) on Thursday, 24 June 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 July 1999. It was answered by Lord Robertson of Port Ellen (Labour) on Tuesday, 6 July 1999 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence;Defence Procurement Agency

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Eurofighters are being purchased for the RAF and at what cost; and how many are being purchased by other NATO countries. - Text of letter from Robert Walmsley, Chief Executive of Defence Procurement Agency, in figures (holding answer 29 June 1999).

Answer: Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Eurofighters are being purchased for the RAF and at what cost; and how many are being purchased by other NATO countries. [88961] Mr. George Robertson: [holding answer 29 June 1999]: This is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to my hon. Friend. Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 6 July 1999: I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the number of Eurofighters being purchased for the RAF and by other NATO countries and the cost to the UK. The matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. The 4 Eurofighter Partner Nations are procuring 620 aircraft: 232 for the UK; 180 for Germany; 121 for Italy and 87 for Spain. Production contracts for the first tranche of 148 aircraft, 55 of which are for the UK, were placed in September 1998. The total procurement cost of the Eurofighter programme to the UK is estimated at £16.1 Billion at current prices.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 88961; 334 c430W
Session: 1998-99
Subjects: Costs Air force Defence equipment Procurement NATO Typhoon aircraft
Contains statistics: Yes