The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the cost to the public purse was of the visit of four RAF Typhoons to Edwards Airforce Base for interoperability trials with the Joint Strike Fighter; and what goals were (a) planned and (b) set in such training.
Mr Philip Dunne
No Typhoon aircraft have been deployed to Edwards Air Force Base.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-04-01.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the planned in-service date is for the Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon; how many will be procured; and what estimate he has made of the (a) total programme and (b) unit cost.
Mr Philip Dunne
The planned in-service date for the Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon (Heavy) (FASGW(H)) is 2020. I am withholding the information relating to the number being procured as its disclosure would, or would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness or security of the Armed Forces.
The total programme cost for FASGW(H) is £500 million and is a joint investment with the French Government. The UK’s contribution is £280 million (contract value excluding VAT). I am withholding information on the unit cost of FASGW(H) as its disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.
I am also withholding all information on the FASGW (Light) as contract negotiations are ongoing and disclosure would prejudice commercial interests.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-03-31.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how much electricity is consumed by a Queen Elizabeth class carrier when it is alongside with no internal power generation taking place.
Mr Philip Dunne
It is estimated that when connected to a shore power supply a Queen Elizabeth class carrier will continuously draw up to 8MW of electricity.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-04-28.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the stealth characteristics of the joint strike fighter against all digital very high frequency active electronically steered radar arrays.
Mr Philip Dunne
It is part of normal MOD business to continuously assess the stealth performance of the F-35 against very high frequency digital radar.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-04.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what records his Department keeps of the monthly 2-star assessments of its risk registers.
Mr Mark Francois
The Ministry of Defence makes extensive use of risk management tools and techniques across the different areas of departmental business. Risk registers are generally created, updated, and assessed as part of day-to-day management action; and the relevant records are kept at local level.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-09.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many commissions he has extended for Royal Navy officers at or between level QF2 to QF4, who were officers before 1999, to address a lack of suitably qualified and experienced personnel.
Anna Soubry
Extensions of Service for Royal Navy Officers are not made by Ministers but are a matter for the Royal Navy. However, the information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-16.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment he has made of the value of purchasing AM-aluminium matting for landing pads for the JSF 35B.
Mr Philip Dunne
High Temperature Resistant Concrete was considered as the most appropriate surface for the UK Joint Strike Fighter landing pads. AM-aluminium matting was considered but does not have the same durability for repeated use and would also result in a higher maintenance burden.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-06-18.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what the technical fault was with Typhoon aircraft T3 ZJ815 which forced it to land in Lajes Field; whether this fault has been rectified; and whether this aircraft has since returned to the UK.
Mr Mark Francois
Typhoon ZJ815 was on a pre-planned stop at Lajes Field on its return journey to the UK from exercise in the USA. A fault with the Inertial Measuring Unit on Typhoon ZJ815 was identified during routine pre departure checks at Lajes Field. The fault was repaired in situ and the aircraft returned to the UK.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-03-31.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what (a) personnel and (b) assets are participating in NATO’s Baltic Regional Training Events in 2014; and what (i) personnel and (ii) assets participated in the events in each of the last three years.
Dr Andrew Murrison
The UK is currently reviewing our contribution to national and NATO exercises in the Baltic Region in 2014; final decisions have not yet been made.
There are no central records for 2011 and 2012. However, in 2013 the UK provided 124 personnel to the following exercises involving NATO allies:
Exercise Sabre Strike 13, Latvia 1-14 June 2013.
Exercise Kevadtorm 13, Estonia 14-25 May 2013.
In addition the UK provided one mine counter measure vessel (ship’s company of 40 personnel) to:
Exercise Steadfast Jazz 13, Baltic Sea, November 2013.
The below Parliamentary question was asked by Angus Robertson on 2014-03-31.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what work is required to the docks at Portsmouth to accommodate the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers.
Mr Philip Dunne
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 8 November 2013 (Official Report, column 400W) to the hon. Member for Portsmouth South (Mr Mike Hancock).