§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money has been spent on HMS Fearless to bring her into operational capability; what exercises she will take part in over the next year; and how long she will remain operational. [14280]
§ Mr. SoamesHMS Fearless is currently undergoing a routine docking and essential defect maintenance period at Portsmouth to ensure the continuing satisfactory operation of the ship. The total estimated cost of this work is £32 million.
After work-up and trials following her present maintenance period, HMS Fearless is scheduled to take part in Exercise Purple Star off the US coast in April, and then in other amphibious exercises in the Caribbean until the end of July. In October and November, she is planned to participate in exercises in the northern fleet exercise areas. She is also scheduled to take part in a series of exercises in the middle and far east during 1997.
We are currently negotiating with Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd over the replacement of HMS Fearless and her sister ship HMS Intrepid. Assuming a satisfactory outcome to these negotiations, we would envisage entry into service around the turn of the century. HMS Fearless is planned to remain operational until then.