§ Mr. Quentin DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he intends that in the long-term the SSN fleet should continue to carry land-attack missiles; [143338]
(2) how he proposes to replace the TLAM D missile currently carried by the SSN fleet once the US are no longer in a position to supply replacements; and if he will make a statement; [143346]
(3) if the Astute class SSNs will carry vertical launch tubes enabling them to fire the Tactical Tomahawk missile; [143347]
(4) what plans he has to equip the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyers with launchers enabling them to fire the Tactical Tomahawk missile; and what steps he is taking to procure this. [143345]
§ Dr. MoonieThe Royal Navy operates Tomahawk Block IIIC missiles. As was demonstrated in Kosovo, Tomahawk Block IIIC missiles are highly effective weapons, which fully meet our requirements for a coercive capability in terms of accuracy, weight of ordnance and the ability to attack the likely target set. At present, we foresee a long-term requirement for this system to be operated by our SSNs.
Following the Kosovo campaign, an additional order of Tomahawk missiles was placed with the US. Upon completion of the outstanding order we will have a full inventory of Block IIIC missiles.
In the event that further Block IIIC missiles were expended during future conflicts, the Tomahawk Block IV missiles (also known as Tactical Tomahawk or Tactom) would represent the only means of procuring additional Tomahawk missiles. At present Tactom is intended only as a vertical launch weapon and therefore would not be suitable for firing from UK SSNs. However, in common with the UK, the US has identified a requirement for a horizontal launch variant of Tactom as not all of its SSNs are fitted with vertical launchers. Initial joint research has demonstrated the feasibility of developing a horizontal launch variant of Tactom.
The development of a horizontal launched variant of Tactom represents a more cost effective route than procuring vertical launchers. Accordingly there are no plans to fit Astute class SSNs with vertical launcher capable of firing Tactom. There are currently no plans to equip the Type 45 destroyer with a land attack capability, however, the design of the Type 45 would allow the incorporation of such a launcher should the requirement arise.