Armed Forces: Aircraft
House of Lords

Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (UUP)

To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the report by the United States Senate Armed Services Committee on the number of Chinese fake components found in United States military aircraft, whether United Kingdom forces operate any of the affected aircraft; and whether any danger is posed to United Kingdom troops.

To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the report by the United States Senate Armed Services Committee on the number of Chinese fake components found in United States military aircraft, whether any similar components are incorporated in aircraft or military equipment manufactured in the United Kingdom.

To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of the report by the United States Senate Armed Services Committee on the number of Chinese fake components found in United States military aircraft, whether they intend to carry out or initiate any similar inquiry in the United Kingdom.

Lord Astor of Hever (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State, Defence; Conservative)

United Kingdom forces operate the Boeing C-17 and Lockheed Martin C-130J aircraft, named in the United States Senate Armed Services Committee report on counterfeit electronic parts. The report also refers to the Boeing AH-64 Apache helicopter. United Kingdom forces operate a variant of this aircraft, the Augusta Westland AH1. There are significant differences between the electronic systems of this aircraft and those of the US AH-64.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) Quality Assurance Authority has not received any reports of counterfeit electronic parts having been detected in MoD equipment in the past five years.

The MoD's framework of contract conditions requires that our contractors supply "fit for purpose" products. Recent changes to the framework have included a strengthening of the requirements for certificates of conformance, whereby suppliers must attest that their product meets MoD requirements.

The MoD is aware that counterfeit products are becoming a serious problem worldwide and is working with industry experts to raise awareness of the risk of counterfeit parts entering the supply chain. A counterfeit awareness working group (CAWG) has been established, to develop guidance on the issue to be used across the MoD and industry. The CAWG arranged an awareness event on counterfeit parts for MoD and industry personnel in July 2011 and is planning another for June 2012.

As no counterfeit electronic parts have been detected in MoD aircraft, there is not considered to be a current threat to UK aircrew and there are no plans to hold an inquiry along the lines of that conducted by the Senate Armed Services Committee.