MoD responds to NAO
report on Hercules C-130 tactical fixed wing airlift capability
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
News Release (131/2008) issued by The Government News Network on 27
June 2008
DEFENCE Minister
Baroness Ann Taylor has today commented on a report published by
the National Audit Office (NAO) into the Hercules C-130 Tactical
Fixed Wing Airlift Capability.
Minister for Defence Equipment and Support, Baroness Taylor said:
"With over 40 flights a day, the Hercules successfully
delivers essential equipment and personnel to the heart of our
operations in hostile environments, with limited infrastructure
and difficult climates.
"To boost our capacity for long range airlift we have
procured two additional C17 aircraft which will free up the
Hercules to concentrate on the shorter flights within theatre.
"Working closely with industry we are turning around
upgrades to communications systems and defensive aids with the
minimum delay and minimum impact to operations."
The NAO report acknowledges that:
* MOD is meeting its operational commitments for tactical airlift
and the purchase of two additional C17 aircraft will boost our
capacity for long-range airlift.
* Hercules aircraft in Iraq and Afghanistan are exceeding their
expected levels of availability on operations. Aircraft are
available to fly planned missions 85 per cent of the time.
* MOD and Industry are turning around equipment upgrades with
minimum delay and minimum impact on availability. Where possible
upgrades are combined with scheduled maintenance to minimise the
time an aircraft is out of action.
* MOD has improved the speed which spares are provided. In May
2006 we signed a contract with BAE, which is improving the
availability of spares to maintain the operational tempo.
* The MoD has accepted the NAO's report and will be studying
the recommendations in order to improve the present capability.
Notes to Editors
1. The Hercules are used primarily to carry troops, passengers or
freight and are capable of carrying:
* Up to 128 passengers, or 20 tonnes of palletised freight or
vehicles, for up to 2000nmls.
* The freight bay can accommodate a range of wheeled or tracked
vehicles, or up to 7 pallets of general freight.
* In the medical evacuation role up to 82 stretchers can be carried,
2. The planned In-Service Date for the A400M aircraft is still
within the required timeframe to manage a smooth replacement of
the Hercules.
3. http://www.raf.mod.uk/equipment/herculesc4c5.cfm
4. http://www.raf.mod.uk/equipment/herculesc1c3.cfm