The Ministry of Defence has clarified which aircraft are included in the Royal Air Force’s Command Support Air Transport (CSAT) fleet, following a written question from Mike Wood, Conservative MP for Kingswinford and South Staffordshire.
In response, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard stated: “No, the RAF Command Support Air Transport (CSAT) fleet comprises of two Envoy IV Dassault Falcon 900LX aircraft, G-ZAHS and G-ZABH.”
Pollard explained that the Voyager aircraft, ZZ336, is operated alongside the main fleet of RAF Voyagers, on behalf of the RAF by AirTanker. It has a secondary role and can be tasked under Op VESPINA for the use of Head of State or Head of Government on State business only.
He further confirmed: “The Airbus A321 (G-GBNI) is not a military aircraft. It is tasked by the Cabinet Travel Office under Government contract.”
According to the minister, CSAT is “a military function, delivered to aid operational effectiveness including senior military leader partner engagements, crisis early entry, and the movement of operational information.” He stressed that it remains “separate to wider Government and Royal VIP passenger movement, delivered through the Ministerial Air Transport Contract and Royal Transport Office respectively.”
Pollard added that military tasking of CSAT “remains the priority throughout,” and reiterated the Government’s commitment to value for money: “We cancelled the VIP helicopter contract which wasted millions under the previous Government. The money saved from cancelling this contract will be returned to Defence’s core budget – an estimated £40 million.”
An extra 40.000.000 to get someone to draw something that will probably never be… Ho goody goody.
No sorry they don’t use pencils today only AI.
That’s not what they’re saying though is it?
I assume 40,000,000.
Several HS125 replaced by 2. Same trend there. Northolt must be pretty deserted these days military air movement wise.