§ Mr. Bestasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the role of the EH101 in the surface fleet and, in particular, to the type 23 frigate and the AOR; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. StanleyThe EH101 is intended to become the Royal Navy's principal anti-submarine warfare helicopter. It is planned that it will operate from type 22 and type 23 frigates, as a replacement for the Lynx. When it is deployed in the type 23 some of the maintenance will be carried out in the auxiliary oiler replenishment since we judge that this will be particularly effective in conserving skilled manpower and spares during high intensity operations. Later the EH101 is planned to replace the Sea King as the ASW helicopter operated from Invincible-class carriers.