The percentages of the total helicopter fleet and the forward helicopter fleet which are fit for purpose are not recorded as a matter of course, and are not therefore available from 2001 in all cases.
“In Service” has been taken to mean the Effective Fleet, which covers all aircraft barring those which are redundant, declared as surplus or awaiting disposal.
“Forward Fleet” aircraft are those that are available to the Front Line Commands for operational and training purposes, including those that are classed as “short term unserviceable”; aircraft undergoing scheduled depth maintenance, or planned routine fleet maintenance are excluded.
“Fit for Purpose” aircraft are those in the Forward Fleet considered capable of carrying out their planned missions on a given date.
Service and Helicopter 2001- 02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 Royal Navy Merlin HM1 Effective Fleet 20 16 17 10 24 29 29 29 Forward Fleet 44 35 37 21 48 48 46 52 Lynx Mk 3/8 Effective Fleet 36 38 42 44 40 40 38 40 Forward Fleet 56 56 60 66 62 58 55 61 Sea King Mk2/7 Effective Fleet — 35 38 55 45 47 44 45 Forward Fleet — 75 69 67 62 58 54 61 Sea King Mk5 Effective Fleet 37 35 39 39 37 43 43 42 Forward Fleet 70 65 65 66 56 59 59 57 Sea King Mk 4 and 6c Effective Fleet — — — 45 41 38 36 38 Forward Fleet — — — 59 59 55 52 55 Army Apache Effective Fleet — — — — 28 31 34 30 Forward Fleet — — — — 54 54 50 40 A109 Effective Fleet — — — 75 75 75 75 75 Forward Fleet — — — 75 75 75 75 75 Gazelle Effective Fleet — — — 55 46 38 37 38 Forward Fleet — — — 96 102 88 90 88 Lynx Mk 7 and 9 Effective Fleet — — — 38 41 40 36 39 Forward Fleet — — — 59 60 64 61 66 Royal Air Force Chinook Effective Fleet — — — 43 38 40 45 50 Forward Fleet — — — 55 56 59 62 69 Merlin Mk 3/3a Effective Fleet — — — 14 36 36 36 39 Forward Fleet — — — 20 53 57 53 65 Puma Effective Fleet — — — 44 44 44 38 45 Forward Fleet — — — 64 69 72 68 74 Sea King Mk 3/3a Effective Fleet — — — — — 36 36 32 Forward Fleet — — — — — 53 53 47
Effective Fleet figures are as at 1 April of each year.
Fit for Purpose and Forward Fleet figures are an average across each year.