Reheat On
6th Mar 2002, 10:00
<a href="http://defence-data.com/current/page13766.htm" target="_blank">Nimrod order info</a> refers to the drop from 21 aircraft to 18.. .. .All the usual reason, blah blah, but a tidy little saving to reclaim all this overspend at the behest of El Presidente.. .. .Bad news fo crew numbers. Might relieve the pressure at HMP?. .. .---. .. .The UK Ministry of Defence has concluded that future maritime reconnaissance capabilities and operational tasks can be met with a smaller fleet of aircraft than originally envisaged.. .. .The revision is based on a number of factors:. .. .The submarine threat has not developed as expected when the production contract was signed in 1996.. .. .The new Nimrod MRA4 will offer a markedly greater capability in sensor and aircraft performance than the current MR2.. .. .Our understanding of the potential support options to maximise the aircraft's availability, and the whole life costs of supporting the aircraft, has developed, in consultation with BAE SYSTEMS, the prime contractor. . .The MOD has agreed with BAE SYSTEMS incentives to maximise the savings which will result from reducing the buy from 21 to 18 aircraft.. .. .Defence Minister Dr Lewis Moonie said, "Since the Nimrod contract was signed in 1996 we have been able to take a further look at the submarine threat we could be facing. The threat remains prevalent, but it has not developed as we initially expected. We have also, in discussion with BAE Systems, identified potential in-service support options to maximise aircraft availability. As a result, the RAF will have a Nimrod fleet that can meet all its operational requirements, while delivering better value for money.". .. .The Defence Procurement Agency is working with BAE SYSTEMS on an incremental approach to delivery of the aircraft, with an initial capability provided by the time of first contracted aircraft delivery in August 2004, and full specification being met by the time of the seventh aircraft delivery and entry into service, contracted for March 2005. The three cancelled aircraft would have been the last to be delivered, from 2008. There is not expected to be any impact on the RAF Nimrod crews currently serving at RAF Kinloss.. .. .The expenditure avoided on procurement will be agreed in detail with the company, but the smaller fleet is expected to save around £360M in support costs.. .. .---