23rd November 2009
Last week we listened to the Queen delivering her “Gracious Speech” setting out 15 new “Bills” which the Government wants to push through Parliament over the year ahead. However, given that a General Election is likely to be called next Spring, many of these will probably never become law.
In my view, the Government should be using its remaining time to deal with three big issues – cleaning up our political system, including the problems with MP’s expenses; addressing the continuing economic problems; and setting out a new strategy for Afghanistan which can deliver success against Al Qaeda, while mapping out an exit strategy which will bring the bulk of our forces back in around 2011 – and not in the 5 or even 10 years time which some people speak of.
One of the issues that still has to be resolved in Afghanistan and in other theatres is the availability of helicopters – something that we have a real commitment to and interest in, in our area.
The Apache ground attack helicopters which were both constructed and are maintained by AgustaWestland in Yeovil have played a crucial role in Afghanistan, saving many hundreds of British lives. Westland staff continue to work hard to keep these helicopters flying, and they have been one of the big success stories of the conflict. Westland has also recently won a very valuable contract to sustain these aircraft into the future.
As far as lighter helicopters are concerned, the Government finally signed off on the £1bn order for Future Lynx helicopters, now named “Wildcat”. This is a crucially important contract for both the UK armed services and for Westland. The first Wildcat flew last week in rather blustery weather in Yeovil, and these are on track for entering service in a couple of years time.
In the meantime, Westland employees are working incredibly hard to adapt existing Lynx Mark 9 helicopters for use on the frontline in Afghanistan – increasing their power, so that they can fly in the “hot and high” conditions of Afghanistan.
I would like to see the Government ordering more Wildcat helicopters (the number ordered is much lower than the number of Lynx currently in service), and it would also be sensible to upgrade more of the Lynx Mark 9s, beyond the 12 which are already contracted for.
Another crucial frontline helicopter is the big Chinook - which has an impressive troop-carrying and equipment-carrying capacity. This helicopter is also much valued by the Armed forces, and we need more of these to be ordered. This may not be a Westland product, but there is no reason why the helicopter should not be produced by Westland under license if more are ordered. And – ultimately – our troops must have the equipment which they need and are asking for.
With Wildcat, Apache and Chinook, there is just one other helicopter which is crucially important to delivering the capability which the services need – the Merlin/EH101 helicopter, which is already in service with the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force. Arguably, we do not need a fresh “competition” for a new medium lift helicopter – these processes usually take years and lead to long delays, high costs, and uncertainty.
What we need is for the Ministry of Defence to order more Merlins to replace the ageing Sea Kings and Pumas – some of the existing, but very old, medium lift helicopters. The first adapted Merlin (EH 101) helicopter was sent to the front line in Afghanistan last week. A quick decision on ordering more of these could lead to a “win-win” for both the Ministry of Defence, the Armed Forces and Westland – with extra helicopters available quickly, and with a streamlining of the number of different helicopter types in service (which saves money and improves spares availability).
I will be using every opportunity to press the Government for a strategy of this type. It is surely time to bring to an end the long running row over helicopter availability, and give our armed forces the equipment they need to do the job – safely and well.
Ever,
David.