Written question asked by Robert Key (Conservative) on Wednesday, 18 October 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 November 2000. It was answered by Lord Spellar (Labour) on Monday, 6 November 2000 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many Lynx helicopters are available for operational duty in (a) the Royal Navy, (b) the Army and (c) the RAF; for each service how many of those are flying beyond the 500-hour deep-servicing requirement; and if he will make a statement. (Holding answer 2 November 2000).

Answer: Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many Lynx helicopters are available for operational duty in (a) the Royal Navy, (b) the Army and (c) the RAF; for each service how many of those are flying beyond the 500-hour deep-servicing requirement; and if he will make a statement. [134298] Mr. Spellar: [holding answer 2 November 2000]: On 26 October, the Army had 39 fully serviceable Lynx aircraft in units. As at 24 October, the Royal Navy had 17 Lynx aircraft allocated to current operational duty and a further 21 aircraft are carrying out training and support activity and could be made available for operations although at penalty to their primary activity. The RAF does not have any Lynx helicopters. `Deep' scheduled maintenance for Army Lynx aircraft is every 800 and 2,400 flying hours. The Royal Navy does not carry out block maintenance. Scheduled maintenance of Royal Navy Lynx aircraft is carried out on a rolling calendar basis throughout the life of the aircraft. Currently no Lynx aircraft is operating beyond authorised maintenance limits.

Secondary information