§ Mr. ConwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will be in a position to invite tenders for an aviation support ship.
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§ Mr. SainsburyThe House will recall that my right hon. Friend announced in December 1986 the Government's decision to retain an amphibious capability in the longer term. As part of the continuing review of how best to meet this commitment, the method of providing helicopter lift, including the concept of an aviation support ship, has been considered.
In the summer, my Department gave a presentation to Industry which outlined our requirements for an ASS and our intention to procure the vessel on a "prime contractorship" basis. I am pleased to be able to announce that an invitation to tender for the ASS is being issued today to those consortia who subsequently expressed an interest in bidding and meet our criteria.
Tenderers will be free to offer varying options for meeting the requirement, not just by new design and build. Other options might include new build to an existing but suitably modified merchant ship design, or by the conversion of an existing merchant ship hull. The successful prime contractor will also be responsible for the selection, procurement and setting to work of the weapons and associated system.