§ Mr. Wilkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the principal means of defence against sea-skimming missiles which it is intended to fit to type 22 Batch III frigates and early vessels in the type 23 class.
§ Mr. HeseltineIt is intended to fit the Seawolf point defence missile system both to the type 22 Batch III 301W frigates and the early type 23s, but the type 22 batch III will receive Seawolf in its latest conventionally launched version, rather than the vertically launched version, as I said in reply to my hon. Friend on 28 January at column 25. The intention is to fit the vertically launched version, which is currently under development, to the early type 23 frigates. In addition, the type 22 batch III ships will be fitted with the Goalkeeper close-in weapon system to provide a last ditch defence against sea-skimming missiles.