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Armed Forces: Helicopters

House of Lords written question – answered at on 5 January 2010.

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Photo of Lord Ashcroft Lord Ashcroft Conservative

To ask Her Majesty's Government why the decision to upgrade the Puma helicopter has taken the time that it has.

Photo of Baroness Taylor of Bolton Baroness Taylor of Bolton Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Defence and Security) (also in the Ministry of Defence), Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (International Defence and Security) (also in Foreign and Commonwealth Office), Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Ministry of Defence

The demonstration and manufacture phase contract for the Puma life extension programme was placed with Eurocopter UK on 18 September this year. Prior to this a full range of options were evaluated to determine an affordable technical solution that could be delivered in time to meet future capability requirements and provide value for money. Feasibility studies, risk reduction and commercial negotiations were undertaken to mature the programme to a point where the contract could be placed with confidence in its ability to deliver and its price.

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