To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what was the (a) estimated purchase cost for the originally programmed five E-7 Wedgetail aircraft and (b) revised purchase price for the re-programmed three E-7 Wedgetail aircraft.
Answered on
13 December 2022
The original estimated acquisition cost for five E-7 Wedgetail aircraft programme was £2155 million, which included acquisition, modification, infrastructure, training and support long lead time items (included initial spares provisioning).
The current forecast for the three aircraft programme is £1890 million.
The above figures reflect the current cost to completion of the E-7 programme, as outlined in the Defence Equipment Plan. They do not include estimated forecast savings from longer term sustainment through reduced support costs due to the reduction to three aircraft.