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Ministry of Defence

Answer

Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about the Future Strategic Tanker project and the roles of RAF Brize Norton and DERA Boscombe Down. [140086] Dr. Moonie: [holding answer 24 November 2000]: The Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft (FSTA) is planned to begin replacing the RAF's current fleet of VC10 and Tristar tanker/transport aircraft from around 2007. We are currently investigating the potential for achieving a service-based solution to the requirement under the Private Finance Initiative. The current fleet is based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire. DERA is seeking to act as a commercial partner to the FSTA consortia and is promoting its Boscombe Down airfield as a potential alternative operating base. Our work on development of the Public Sector Comparator for FSTA has concluded that RAF Brize Norton is likely to offer the most cost effective operating base for the FSTA service. However, under a PFI procurement strategy we would be prepared to consider innovative proposals from the bidding consortia that maintain operational capability and offer value for money. We have not yet launched the formal bidding process for the FSTA requirement and do not expect to make final decisions on the programme before 2002.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

357 c423W; 140086

Session

1999-00

Subjects

Procurement Defence Evaluation and Research Agency Voyager aircraft RAF Brize Norton MOD Boscombe Down

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk