Written question asked by Julian Lewis (Conservative) on Monday, 12 January 2015, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 20 January 2015 (named day). It was answered by Philip Dunne (Conservative) on Tuesday, 20 January 2015 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Military Aircraft

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make it his policy to invest in the upgrade of the A400M aircraft for use in special operations; what lessons his Department learned from the time taken to upgrade the C130J aircraft for that role in terms of (a) foregone capability and (b) increased costs; what estimate he has made of the (i) ability of the A400M to withstand an attack in comparison with the C130J and (ii) comparative cost of keeping the C130J in service for this role and introducing an upgraded A400M; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: The A400M is planned to replace the C130J. The Department is currently considering upgrade requirements for the use of A400M across the span of operations. It is the policy of the Government not to comment on Special Forces matters.

Secondary information