Armed Forces: Helicopters

Lord Astor of Hever
asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Answer by the Minister of State for the Armed Forces, Bob Ainsworth, on 9 October 2007 (Official Report, col. 200), when they expect the six additional Merlin helicopters to be in operational use. [HL1805]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Taylor of Bolton)
We expect that the first of the six additional Merlin helicopters will enter service in April 2008 and the rest later this year.

Lord Astor of Hever
asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Statement by the Minister of State for the Armed Forces, Bob Ainsworth, on 9 October 2007 (Official Report, 73WS), what is the timetable for the conversion and delivery of the eight Chinook helicopters. [HL1806]

Baroness Taylor of Bolton
Conversion work started on the first Chinook Mk3 aircraft in February 2008. The first aircraft are expected to be available in the last quarter of 2009 and the rest will be delivered by mid-2010.