Synopsis: |
In 1995, the Ministry of Defence (the Department) ordered 15 Chinook Mk2a helicopters from Boeing, of which six were retained as Mk2 and have flown satisfactorily since they were delivered. The other eight, however, were modified as Mk3 to meet a longstanding requirement for dedicated helicopters for special operations. Those eight Chinook Mk3 helicopters cost some GBP 259 million and the Department took delivery of them in December 2001.Although Boeing met its contractual obligations, the avionics software fell short of UK military airworthiness standards and the helicopters have not flown in operations. This report, "Chinook Mk3 Helicopters (HC 512)", follows on from concerns expressed by the Committee of Public Accounts in 2004. It examines whether the Department has taken appropriate steps to make the eight Chinook Mk3s operational. |