The information requested is shown in the following table:
Aircraft type Required strength Actual strength Apache 100 88 Chinook 124 118 Merlin Mk 1 60 50 Merlin Mk 3 80 71
All our operational commitments for these helicopters are being met.
Required and actual strengths will both naturally vary with time due to many factors including: operational requirements, the introduction of newly trained crew on completion of training courses at set times during the year, the number of trained personnel assigned to non-flying duties (as part of the necessary broader career development), injuries, and service leavers.
In addition, the RAF is going through a high level of change with aircraft drawing down, going through structure change, forming new squadrons or bringing new aircraft into service. Therefore, crew figures are fluctuating continually.