Mr. O'NeillTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to improve the capability of units of the Royal Air Force and the Royal Navy.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkWe will continue to improve the capability of all three services. The Royal Navy has three of the new class of type 23 frigates in service, seven on order, with tenders invited for up to three more. Design studies are under way for a new class of nuclear-powered submarines. We will continue to modernise our amphibious shipping. We expect to award a contract for project definition of the replacement landing platform dock in November. This month a contract was placed for 44 Merlin anti-submarine warfare helicopters. For the RAF, the introduction into service of the Boeing E-3D airborne early warning aircraft and IUKADGE will greatly enhance the command and control of our air 613W defence forces. In addition, we anticipate the European fighter aircraft will provide, towards the end of the decade, a powerful reinforcement of our air defence capability.