Strategic lift : eleventh report of session 2006-07, report, together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) needs the capability to transport personnel, equipment, and stores from the UK to operational theatres across the globe.

This capability, known as 'Strategic Lift', can by delivered by sea, land, or air and its annual cost to the MoD is almost GBP 800 million a year. "Strategic Lift (HC 462)" examines the progress of the MoD in delivering the Strategic Lift requirements set out in the Strategic Defence Review and whether these requirements need to be revisited given the experience of the operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.The Committee finds that good progress has been made in improving strategic sea-lift, particularly in relation to Ro-Ro ships and the acquisition of Landing Platform Dock (Auxiliary) vessels.

However, strategic air-lift is a particular concern given the age of many of the aircraft, and the report looks at the progress of two major equipment programmes designed to deliver new transport aircraft (the A400M transport aircraft) and new tanker aircraft (the Future Strategic Tanker Aircraft).