§ Mr. Duffyasked the Secreary of State for Defence what annual average ordering rate of type 23 frigates is needed if the fleet in the 1990s is to reach its target of around 50 destroyers and frigates.
§ Mr. LeeIt is our intention to maintain a surface escort fleet of about 50 destroyers and frigates and this would imply an ordering rate of around three new vessels per year. However, these figures are subject both to availability of resources and the length of hull life.