§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the three offshore protection vessels that are to be procured and their(a) capabilities and (b) cost. [35716]
§ Dr. MoonieThe first vessel is due to enter service with the Royal Navy around the end of this year, with the others following at roughly six-monthly intervals. They will replace the five vessels of the Island class, the capability and availability of which they will match. The new vessels are being built, following competition, by Vosper Thorneycroft at Southampton. They will be leased to the RN and will be maintained by the shipbuilder for five years, subject to extension. The vessels will be based at Portsmouth as part of the Fishery Protection Squadron. The total cost of this innovative lease package is approximately £60 million.