§ Mr. CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the nature and purpose of the naval satellite communications project; what is the annual cost of this project; and from which subheads of which votes funds for this project are taken.
§ Mr. Kenneth CarlisleThe purpose of naval satellite communications is to provide the Royal Navy with a secure, reliable, long-distance communications facility. The current annual cost to the Royal Navy of procuring and maintaining satellite communication equipment is approximately £10 million. Equipment is procured and supported against votes 2E and 2F.