I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Members for Macclesfield (Sir Nicholas Winterton) and for South-West Bedfordshire (Andrew Selous).
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave earlier today to the hon. Members for Macclesfield (Sir Nicholas Winterton) and for South-West Bedfordshire (Andrew Selous).
The Future Medium Helicopter project is currently in its concept phase. As with all Defence projects, it is not until Main Gate approval has been obtained that decisions such as final aircraft numbers and in-service dates are confirmed. It is therefore too early to determine the number of aircraft which will be procured or when they will come into service.
An assessment phase contract was awarded in 2007 to Eurocopter to examine the scope to extend the service life of the Puma HC1. A decision on whether to extend the service life of the Puma beyond 2012 will not be taken until the Main Gate approval for this project.
The Ministry of Defence and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) are jointly undertaking the Search and Rescue Helicopter programme, which will deliver the future UK capability. This programme is currently in its assessment phase. As with all Defence projects, it is not until Main Gate approval has been obtained that details of the future service such as final aircraft numbers can be confirmed.