§ Lord Hardy of Wathasked Her Majesty's Government:
What progress has been made with regard to the proposed tri-national destroyer programme; when the memorandum of understanding was signed by the United Kingdom, France and Italy; and whether subsequent study suggests that this project is likely to be either economically sensible or operationally worth while. [HL2420]
§ Lord GilbertThe programme memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the common new generation frigate (CNGF) Project HORIZON was signed by the United Kingdom, Italy and France in July 1994, with its supplement for project definition and initial design signed in March 1996. The programme MOU for the vessel's principal anti-air missile system (PAAMS) and the supplement covering its full-scale engineering development and initial production (FSED/IP) were also signed in March 1996.
The tri-national contract for PAAMS FSED/IP is scheduled to be placed later this year. Project definition studies on HORIZON are scheduled to be completed next year, with the next stage being the placement of the design and build contract for the nations' three first-of-class ships.
The Government remains committed to the CNGF programme as offering a value for money solution to the Royal Navy's operational requirement.