§ Mr. Trotterasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the anticipated cost of (i) a type 23 frigate, (ii) a type 2400 submarine and (iii) an auxiliary oil replenishment vessel.
§ Mr. LeePrecise costs are commercially confidential. However, the approximate cost (at 1985–86 price levels) are £115 million for the Type 23 frigate and £100 million for the Type 2400 submarine. These are the average prices we expect to pay for vessels in the first batch and include weapons and equipment fitted in each case, but exclude first of class costs which are covered by separate contracts.
For the AOR, we achieved a price slightly below our target of £130 million (at 1985–86 price levels) for the first ship. Because this vessel is being procured on a design and build contract, this includes design costs. We expect follow-on vessels to be significantly cheaper.