§ Lord Vivianasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many of Her Majesty's ships are available for operations; and how many ships by type are undergoing extensive inspection, second line repair or long-term modifications and maintenance. [HL397]
§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Defence (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)As at 22 January 2001, 71 surface ships and four submarines (including three Vanguard class) were available for operations and of these 12 were undergoing short-term assisted upkeep, which is similar in nature to second line repair. These were, broken down by type, as follows:
- Frigates and Destroyers: 8
- Mine Counter Measures Vessels: 3
- Survey Vessel: 1
A further 11 surface ships and 11 submarines were undergoing periods of combined long-term modifications, maintenance and inspection. These numbers, which include those Swiftsure and Trafalgar Class submarines undergoing repair for the surge line pintle defect, are as follows:
- Aircraft Carrier: 1
- Landing Platform Docking: 1
- Landing Platform Helicopter: 1
- Frigates and Destroyers: 4
- Survey Vessel: 1
- Mine Counter Measures Vessels: 2
- Offshore Patrol Vessel: 1
- Submarines: 11