As expected New Sparta has ordered 6 Dependers (given the Type 161A code - hence will be Depender 161As in service). Officially they are for "special purposes", its thought they will supplement the Marconi 081A fleet (which is becoming a bit hard pressed) in intelligence gathering.
NS said that procurement will not be rapid and its expected that 2 a year will be built over the next 3 years.
