Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many RFA tankers are to be ordered in the MARS programme. [90755]
Peter Luff MP; Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State [holding answer 19 January 2012]: We have received the final bids for the Military Afloat Reach and Sustainability (MARS) Tankers programme and anticipate announcing the winning bid later this spring. Up to four MARS tankers are expected to be ordered.