asked Her Majesty's Government:
How many transport aircraft used for troop movements are currently owned by, and in service with the Royal Air Force; and what are the make, year of manufacture and year of acquisition of each. [HL4685]
The information requested is as follows:
Aircraft No. Year of Manufacture Year of Acquisition C-17A Globemaster 4 2001 2008 (Note 1) C-17A Globemaster 2 2008 2008 Hercules C-130K 19 Information not held 1966-68 Hercules C-130J 24 Information not held 1998-2001 TriStar (Note 2) 9 1979-80 1983-84 VC10 (Note 2) 16 1965-70 1966-81 BAE 125 6 1983-84 1983-84 BAE 146 2 1986 1986
Notes:
1. Four aircraft were initially acquired on lease in 2001. An agreement was signed in 2006 to purchase the leased aircraft; the purchase will be completed later this year.
2. TriStar and VC10 aircraft are also used by the RAF to provide a strategic air-refuelling (AR) capability; some airframes can be used in either the transport or the AR role.