Vol. 559 No. 3
52 Ms B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Defence when the tender will be awarded for the supply of the promised new training aircraft for the Air Corps; the total value of the tender; when it is expected that the aircraft will be supplied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26069/02]
Tenders were received in August 2002 for the supply of eight turbo-prop training aircraft to replace the Marchetti aircraft in the pilot training role. The evaluation of these tenders is almost complete and I hope to place a contract before the end of the year. The submittted tender prices are in a range of €45 million to €60 million, exclusive of VAT.
The exact delivery sequence will be a matter for negotiation with the successful contractor.
