§ Mr. WareingTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many submarines are now assessed to be surplus to requirements; and what plans exist for their disposal. [40551]
§ Mr. ArbuthnotThere are currently six diesel-electric submarines surplus to the Royal Navy's requirements: four Upholder class and two Oberon class boats. The four Upholder class submarines are currently being marketed for sale or lease to a number of friendly countries. The Oberon class boats are in the hands of a commercial residual asset manager who is stripping them of reusable components before the hulls are sold for breaking.
Eleven nuclear-powered submarines have been withdrawn from service. Our current policy is that decommissioned nuclear-powered submarines should be stored safely afloat at the location where they are decommissioned, pending disposal. We envisage final disposal, early next century, in the deep repository currently being developed by Nirex.