[holding answer 17 July 2006]: The numbers of medium and heavy lift helicopters, in service in the Forward Fleet as at May 2006, broken down by type, are given in the following table:
Type Number in service Puma HC1 26 Sea King Mk 3/3a 17 Merlin Mk 3 14
Type Number in service Chinook Mk2/2a 28
All medium and heavy lift helicopters in service in the Forward Fleet are owned by the Joint Helicopter Command. There are no medium and heavy lift helicopters operated by the Army. In addition to the figures shown in the table, the Royal Navy operate 30 Sea King Mk 4 medium lift helicopters.