Royal Navy Supertanker (Hansard, 29 October 1992)

§ Mr. Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if it is planned to replace or install a command and control system in the Royal Navy supertanker Fort Victoria in 1996; what arrangement for command and control will endure during the intervening period; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Aitken
The ship is designed to be fitted with a command system at a later date. The exact nature of this will depend upon the finally approved equipment fit. The ship will be able to operate its existing weapons in the interim period.

§ Mr. Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Royal Navy supertanker Fort Victoria was designed to be equipped with the Sea Wolf defence system; if this will now be installed; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Aitken
The ship has been designed to be fitted with the vertical launch Sea Wolf system at a later date, if necessary. The operational requirement to fit the system is currently under review, but no decision has yet been taken.

§ Mr. Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what protection and computerised control systems will have been installed when the Royal Navy supertanker Fort Victoria goes into service.

§ Mr. Aitken
The machinery control and surveillance system for the computerised control of the ship and its machinery will be fully operational when the ship enters full service with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary. The ship is designed to be fitted with a command system at a later date.

§ Mr. Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the original budget for the Royal Navy supertanker Fort Victoria; what is the current budget; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Aitken
The original contract for Fort Victoria was valued at £ 127.2 million at 1985–86 prices. A final settlement has not yet been reached; our estimate of the cost is commercially confidential.
799W

§ Mr. Mackinlay
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the original expected delivery date of the Royal Navy supertanker Fort Victoria; what it is now; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Aitken
The original in-service date for Fort Victoria was 1990. Because of problems experienced by the contractor, it is now forecast that the ship will be fully accepted into service in 1993.