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RAF aircraft struggling, warn MPs RAF aircraft struggling, warn MPs
(about 6 hours later)
Aircraft used to transport UK military equipment and personnel around the world are struggling to meet the demands of current conflicts, MPs say. Aircraft used to transport UK military equipment and personnel are struggling to meet the demands of current conflicts, MPs has said.
The Commons defence committee said there were "real doubts" that some of the planes would last until replacements are available next decade.The Commons defence committee said there were "real doubts" that some of the planes would last until replacements are available next decade.
The MPs have urged the MoD to consider ordering more aircraft to ensure military deployments are supported.The MPs have urged the MoD to consider ordering more aircraft to ensure military deployments are supported.
Defence minister Lord Drayson said the MoD was buying five large aircraft.Defence minister Lord Drayson said the MoD was buying five large aircraft.
"We are making long-term improvements to our airlift capability, adding a fifth C-17 to the four we are currently buying," he said."We are making long-term improvements to our airlift capability, adding a fifth C-17 to the four we are currently buying," he said.
It is not enough to give our troops the best training and the best equipment, if we cannot transport them to where they are needed and support them once deployed James ArbuthnotDefence committee chairmanIt is not enough to give our troops the best training and the best equipment, if we cannot transport them to where they are needed and support them once deployed James ArbuthnotDefence committee chairman
The American Boeing C-17s flown by the Royal Air Force were "capable, modern aircraft, which have proved very successful on operations and can carry a significant amount of equipment over long distances," he added.The American Boeing C-17s flown by the Royal Air Force were "capable, modern aircraft, which have proved very successful on operations and can carry a significant amount of equipment over long distances," he added.
The committee had examined the MoD's capability to transport personnel, equipment and stores between the UK to war zones - known as "strategic lift".The committee had examined the MoD's capability to transport personnel, equipment and stores between the UK to war zones - known as "strategic lift".
It costs the MoD almost £800 million a year to carry out strategic lift by sea, air and land.It costs the MoD almost £800 million a year to carry out strategic lift by sea, air and land.
Operational tempoOperational tempo
While the MoD had made progress in improving its sea-lift operation, "the progress in improving its strategic airlift has been less good," the committee said.While the MoD had made progress in improving its sea-lift operation, "the progress in improving its strategic airlift has been less good," the committee said.
Committee chairman James Arbuthnot said: "It is not enough to give our troops the best training and the best equipment, if we cannot transport them to where they are needed and support them once deployed."Committee chairman James Arbuthnot said: "It is not enough to give our troops the best training and the best equipment, if we cannot transport them to where they are needed and support them once deployed."
It called on the MoD to procure more C-17 large transport planes "given the current operational tempo".It called on the MoD to procure more C-17 large transport planes "given the current operational tempo".
The committee said that it was "very concerned" that figures for last November showed that only 41 of the 75 RAF Hercules, TriStar and VC-10 aircraft were available to undertake "required tasks".The committee said that it was "very concerned" that figures for last November showed that only 41 of the 75 RAF Hercules, TriStar and VC-10 aircraft were available to undertake "required tasks".
"While modifications are often the reason for aircraft not being available, maintenance is also a key factor, and reflects the fact that the MoD has an ageing transport and tanker aircraft fleet which is being flown at an unexpectedly high level in very punishing conditions," the report said."While modifications are often the reason for aircraft not being available, maintenance is also a key factor, and reflects the fact that the MoD has an ageing transport and tanker aircraft fleet which is being flown at an unexpectedly high level in very punishing conditions," the report said.
DoubtsDoubts
"While new transport and tanker aircraft are in the pipeline, it will be some years before they enter service."While new transport and tanker aircraft are in the pipeline, it will be some years before they enter service.
"We have real doubts as to whether the current transport and tanker fleet can provide the level of availability required between now and when these new aircraft come into service.""We have real doubts as to whether the current transport and tanker fleet can provide the level of availability required between now and when these new aircraft come into service."
The MPs raised concerns about the planned new fleet of 25 Airbus A400Ms - which will replace the RAF's ageing Hercules C-130Ks - as it was 15 months behind schedule and would not be available until spring 2011.The MPs raised concerns about the planned new fleet of 25 Airbus A400Ms - which will replace the RAF's ageing Hercules C-130Ks - as it was 15 months behind schedule and would not be available until spring 2011.
They also said the MoD should look at increasing its A400M order, especially as three Hercules had been lost on operations recently.They also said the MoD should look at increasing its A400M order, especially as three Hercules had been lost on operations recently.
The committee also urged the MoD to keep an eye on the weight of the Army's future medium-weight armoured vehicles (FRES), due to be carried by the A400M, "to avoid the situation where the UK has a new generation of armoured fighting vehicles which cannot be deployed rapidly overseas".The committee also urged the MoD to keep an eye on the weight of the Army's future medium-weight armoured vehicles (FRES), due to be carried by the A400M, "to avoid the situation where the UK has a new generation of armoured fighting vehicles which cannot be deployed rapidly overseas".