Anti-ship Guided Weapons

HC Deb 21 October 1971 vol 823 cc872-3

7. Mr. Cronin

asked the Minister of State for Defence what further consideration he has given to providing ships of the Royal Navy with anti-ship guided weapons other than Exocet.

Mr. Kirk

We are planning to operate Exocet for a long period ahead and our studies are aimed at supplementing its capability with new submarine—and helicopter—launched anti-ship systems.

Mr. Cronin

Is it not the case that all nations with modern navies either have in service or are developing better guided weapons than Exocet? Would it not be much better if we were to devote more resources to this problem?

Mr. Kirk

No, it is not the case that they have them in service. Many nations are trying to develop this type of anti-ship weapon and we have that in mind for the distant future, but we feel that with Exocet and aircraft, both carrier-borne and land-based, we can provide the necessary cover.

Mr. George Thomson

As it is now 15 months since the Government publicly committed themselves to Exocet, some preliminary work having been done by the Labour Government, what is the timetable for the production of this weapons system?

Mr. Kirk

As the right hon. Gentleman knows, we do not normally disclose timetables, but I can say that it is going ahead very well.

24. Mr. Cronin

asked the Minister of State for Defence what progress has been made in providing ships of the Royal Navy with protection against anti-ship guided weapons when air cover is not available.

Mr. Kirk

Seadart and Seawolf have been expressly designed to counter anti-ship missiles and will supersede Seaslug and Seacat now in service. We are strengthening our capability against missile-firing ships by fitting Exocet to our surface forces whose helicopters are currently equipped with AS. 12.

Mr. Cronin

Is the hon. Gentleman satisfied that sufficient resources are being allocated to this problem? Is it not the case that almost any ship of the Royal Navy, if it has no air cover, can be sunk with comparative ease by a small patrol boat equipped with a guided weapon?

Mr. Kirk

The hon. Gentleman has raised that point before. It is not correct, because the air cover is available. That is why we feel that proper resources are being devoted to this problem.

Mr. Wilkinson

Can my hon. Friend assure the House that in future Royal Navy vessels and capital ships of the Fleet will be operating within the range of shore-based aircraft? If he cannot, will he expedite all efforts to make integral air available to the Fleet, because without it the Fleet is not able to defend itself, let alone to strike?

Mr. Kirk

That was precisely why we decided to run on "Ark Royal". We have integral air available for the support of the Fleet for the foreseeable future and intend to develop it in that way.