Examination of Witnesses (Questions 140-144)
REAR ADMIRAL
SIMON CHARLIER,
REAR ADMIRAL
TONY JOHNSTONE-BURT
OBE AND BRIGADIER
KEVIN ABRAHAM
2 JUNE 2009
Q140 Linda Gilroy: I should perhaps
know the answer to this question: which other countries provide
helicopter capability? Do they provide it in Helmand to any degree?
Are there any issues relating to interoperability of which we
should be aware?
Rear Admiral Johnstone-Burt: No.
We have an extremely close relationship with the Ukrainians, the
Dutch, the Canadians, the Danish and the Americans. We are very
much a coalition and the attribution of helicopter capability
is shared throughout depending on what the Regional Commander
wants.
Q141 Chairman: Arising directly out
of that question, you said that 295 American aircraft were arriving
as we speak. How many American aircraft are already there?
Brigadier Abraham: I do not know
how many American aircraft are in Afghanistan.
Q142 Chairman: Too many to count?
Brigadier Abraham: I did not say
that. The point to understand about the additional 295 aircraft,
which is not a confirmed figure and is still being worked out,
is that we do not yet know the extent to which the Americans will
declare those to Regional Command South or the extent to which
they will maintain some for national purposes only. Permanent
Joint Headquarters and CENTRAL COMMAND in Florida etc. are working
on that, as the Americans come to the south. The other matter
that needs to be understood is that if they bring along 295 they
are also bringing a lot more troops, so it is not a net increase.
The additional troops will also consume some of those helicopters.
Q143 Mr Havard: I understand all
of that. It will also be interesting to see whether in the mix
of assets that they bring some will be able to fly at altitude
or just go and get the pizzas, but that will be for them to decide.
Clearly, the distribution of it is important. As I understood
it, there was also currently a NATO contract which supplemented
the number of hours that helicopters would be available. Will
that be continued, renewed or extended? What is happening to that
aspect of it?
Rear Admiral Johnstone-Burt: That
is called the ICAT which employs something called MI17s. As far
as we know, that is continuing and it is hugely valuable. We also
have something called the Raven contract which flies MI17s and
MI26s. Again, they do all the freight, lifting and shifting and
cover 82% of all our shifting around. The specific UK contribution
has reduced, thanks to those two contracts, from 36 to 16% which
is fantastic.
Q144 Mr Havard: But that aspect will
not be sacrificed by the fact that the Americans are now bringing
in a load of assets for their own use or other use?
Rear Admiral Johnstone-Burt: I
sincerely hope not and I have been given no indication that they
will do anything other than continue.
Chairman: I draw this part of the evidence
session to a close and say to all three witnesses that we are
extremely grateful. It has been very helpful and clear.
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