§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the costs and benefits of United Kingdom participation in the United States Navy's Co-operative Capability Program. [130379]
§ Dr. MoonieThis is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency. I have asked the Chief Executive to write to the hon. Member.
Letter from Robert Walmsley to Mr. Mike Hancock, dated 25 July 2000:
I am replying to your question to the Secretary of State for Defence about the costs and benefits of United Kingdom participation in the United States Navy's Co-operative Capability Program. This matter falls within my area of responsibility as Chief of Defence Procurement and Chief Executive of the Defence Procurement Agency.I am pleased to say that the MoU for the UK's participation in the United States Co-operative Engagement Capability (CEC) programme was signed on 18th July 2000. The application of CEC technology will improve the RN's ability to detect, monitor and counter current and future air threats, reducing the risk of losing high value warships, as well as reducing the risk of casualties and fratricide. UK participation in CEC will also increase considerably the interoperability of UK and US Naval Forces. Royal Navy Type 23 Frigates are planned to be the first RN warships equipped with CEC. Other major surface warships will also be fitted with CEC in due course.The estimated total procurement cost of integrating CEC into Type 23 and Type 45 is £174M and the whole life costs are estimated at around £250M. Both these figures are at 1999 prices.The programme is still at an early stage; costs, performance and timing will be explored and refined before a Main Gate submission in 2004.