My honourable friend the Under-Secretary of State for Defence (Derek Twigg) has made the following Written Ministerial Statement.

I am pleased to announce that the Ascent Consortium has been selected as the preferred bidder for the UK Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) training system partner. The Ascent Consortium consists of Lockheed Martin and the VT Group. The training system partner will work with the Ministry of Defence to deliver a long-term, cost-effective, flexible training capability for the future flying training needs of the Armed Forces. Detailed contract negotiations with the consortium will now commence.