Type 45 Destroyer Programme (Hansard, 13 July 2000)

§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)

The Government have now approved the procurement of Type 45 Destroyers, in line with our firm commitment to a modern and effective destroyer and frigate force. Subject to the satisfactory completion of negotiations, a contract will be placed later this year with the prime contractor, BAE Systems, for the first three of these ships, and including some major long-lead equipment for a further three, at an estimated cost in excess of £1 billion. It is planned that the first and third ships will be assembled by BAE Systems Marine, and the second ship by Vosper Thornycroft. The first of class is expected to be launched from the BAE Systems Marine Scotstoun yard on the Clyde.

The class is to be named the 'D' Class and Her Majesty the Queen has graciously agreed to the first of class being named HMS "Daring" and the second HMS "Dauntless". This revives two names that have served the Royal Navy well since the early 1800s.

The ships will be equipped with the PAAMS Anti Air Missile System, a collaborative programme with France and Italy, and will provide highly effective area defence against aircraft and missiles. In addition, the Type 45 Destroyer will be a multi-role, general purpose platform capable of operations across the spectrum of tasks from peace support to high intensity warfare.

The first of class will enter service in 2007. We expect that an order for the second batch of ships will be placed around 2004.

Construction of these new ships will sustain up to 3,000 jobs directly in the shipyards over the next 10 years and will sustain or create almost as many elsewhere in the defence industry.