Written question asked by Ben Chapman (Labour) on Monday, 24 June 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 2 July 2002. It was answered by Adam Ingram (Labour) on Tuesday, 2 July 2002 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what plans he has for the replacement of (a) Lynx, (b) Gazelle and (c) Sea King helicopters at RNAS Yeovilton.

Answer: Mr. Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has for the replacement of (a) Lynx, (b) Gazelle and (c) Sea King helicopters at RNAS Yeovilton. [64618] Mr. Ingram: The Battlefield Light Utility Helicopter project, planned to enter service from the middle of this decade, is intended to replace the capability provided by the Lynx Marks 7 and 9 and the Gazelle. The Surface Combatant Maritime Rotorcraft (SCMR) project will replace the capability currently provided by the Maritime Lynx Marks 3 and 8. SCMR is currently planned to enter service towards the end of this decade. A number of existing helicopter designs are potentially able to meet these requirements, including the Future Lynx proposal from Westlands Helicopter Ltd., and these will be considered further in the assessment phases of these projects. The Support Amphibious and Battlefield Rotorcraft programme is designed to replace the capability provided by the Sea King Mk4 early in the next decade. The project is in its early stages and we have yet to decide on how the capability requirement will best be met. On current plans the Lynx, Gazelle and Sea King helicopters (and their replacements) currently based at RNAS Yeovilton will continue to be based there. The planning assumption for naval helicopters to remain at Yeovilton will be reviewed when the Harrier force departs in 2006.

Secondary information