(2) how many helicopters in the UK armed services are (a) out of service due to reduced readiness and (b) mothballed.
[holding answer 28 November 2006]: The following table sets out the number of helicopters in the UK armed forces broken down by type and role as at 31 October 2006. Aircraft that are out of service due to reduced readiness has been taken to mean aircraft in the depth fleet, that is, aircraft on scheduled routine maintenance, repair and upgrades. Mothballed has been taken to mean aircraft placed in storage in a flying or “near flying” condition.
The fleet sizes quoted cover those aircraft expected to be flown and does not include some aircraft that are currently classified as redundant, unrepairable or in storage.
Helicopter type Helicopter role Fleet size In depth fleet In storage Agusta Al09A/AM Light multi-role 4 0 0 Apache AH Mk1 Attack helicopter 67 7 0 Chinook Mk 2/2a Heavy lift 40 13 0 Gazelle Mk 11 Light utility/reconnaissance 75 21 0 Lynx Mk 3 / Mk 8 Anti-submarine and anti small surface craft 65 21 0 Lynx Mk 7 / 9 Multi role light utility (lift, reconnaissance, casualty evacuation) 100 26 0 Merlin Mk 1 Primary: anti-submarine and anti surface warfare. Secondary: search and rescue (SAR) 38 11 0 Merlin Mk 3 Primary: support helicopter Secondary: intelligence surveillance targeting and reconnaissance (ISTAR) 22 6 0 Puma Mk 1 Battlefield helicopter 40 14 0 Sea King Mk 3/3a Helicopter air rescue (HAR) 25 8 0 Sea King Mk 4 Commando 37 8 0 Sea King Mk 5 Helicopter utility (HU) 16 5 0 Sea King Mk 62 Anti-submarine 0 0 14 Sea King Mk 6c Commando 5 2 2 Sea King Mk 7 Airborne surveillance and control (ASAC) 11 4 0 1 Gazelle is being progressively removed from service 2 Sea King Mk6 has been removed from service having gone beyond its service life.
In addition to the aircraft in the previous table, the Department contracts for commercially owned helicopters and the following table shows those broken down by type and role as at 31 October 2006. These aircraft are on availability contracts and are not owned by the Department.
Helicopter type Fleet size Helicopter role Dauphin 2 Winching and operations to NATO ships Bell 212 7 Utility Bell 412 15 Utility Squirrel 37 Flying training AgustaA109E Power 3 Communications flight / VIP
[holding answer 4 December 2006]: We have no plans to create an additional six infantry battalions or three helicopter squadrons. As the hon. Member will be aware, the Secretary of State announced on 16 December 2004, Official Report, column 1793, the Future Army Structure which would provide an Army better balanced to conduct short notice expeditionary operations, as well as enduring operations more efficiently, allowing us to respond appropriately to a wider range of possible contingencies, including the current and future strategic environment. This structure takes account of the requirement to integrate the full range of joint effects, including medium support helicopters.