HC Deb 14 February 1989 vol 147 c129W
Sir Peter Hordern

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what was the original estimate for the cost of the Tigerfish torpedo; what was the estimate when Marconi became principal contractor; and what was the final cost when Tigerfish came into service.

Mr. Sainsbury

The original estimate of the cost of Tigerfish MOD "O" was calculated in 1959; records of this estimate are not immediately available. The MOD "O" Tigerfish entered service in 1974 when its total programme cost was £450 million (at current prices).

Marconi became principal contractor for the improved MOD 1 Tigerfish torpedo in 1972; the estimated programme cost at that time was £226 million (at current prices).

Sir Peter Hordern

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when development of the Tigerfish torpedo was begun; when was it originally expected to come into service; when it received fleet weapon acceptance; and when Marconi became principal contractor for the programme.

Mr. Sainsbury

Development of Tigerfish began in 1959 with a view to an in-service date of 1967. The MOD "O" torpedo entered service in 1974 and received fleet weapon acceptance in 1979.

Marconi became principal contractor for Tigerfish MOD 1 in 1972.

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