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Written question asked by Mike Wood (Conservative) on Monday, 8 September 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 10 September 2025. It was answered by Luke Pollard (Labour) on Thursday, 2 October 2025 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.


Military Aircraft: Ministers

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the answer of 18 July 2025 to Question 66652 on Military Aircraft: Ministers, whether the RAF Command Support Air Transport fleets include (a) Airbus A321 G-GBNI, (b) Airbus A330 ZZ336, (c) Dassault Falcon 900LX Envoy IV G-ZAHS and G-ZABH.

Answer

No, the RAF Command Support Air Transport (CSAT) fleet comprises of two Envoy IV Dassault Falcon 900LX aircraft, G-ZAHS and G-ZABH.

The Voyager aircraft, ZZ336, is operated alongside the main fleet of RAF Voyagers, on behalf of the RAF by AirTanker. It has a secondary role and can be tasked under Op VESPINA for the use of Head of State or Head of Government on State business only.

The Airbus A321 (G-GBNI) is not a military aircraft. It is tasked by the Cabinet Travel Office under Government contract.

CSAT is a military function, delivered to aid operational effectiveness including senior military leader partner engagements, crisis early entry, and the movement of operational information. It is separate to wider Government and Royal VIP passenger movement, delivered through the Ministerial Air Transport Contract and Royal Transport Office respectively.

Military tasking of CSAT remains the priority throughout.

This Government is committed to securing value for money for taxpayers. We cancelled the VIP helicopter contract which wasted millions under the previous Government. The money saved from cancelling this contract will be returned to Defence’s core budget- an estimated £40 million.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
75630
Session
2024-26
Related items
Military Aircraft: Ministers
Friday, 18 July 2025
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects
Air passenger duty Air force Ministers Military aircraft
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk