§ Mr. Quentin DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what time scale he has set to fit all Type 23 frigates with stern sonar; [143348]
(2) when he proposes to place an order for the sonar 2087 for the Royal Navy; [143336]
(3) for what reason he has put back to December 2004 the in-service date for the Sonar 2087; and if he will make a statement. [143337]
§ Dr. MoonieSubject to approval, we expect to place a contract for Sonar 2087 early in 2001, and for it to be fitted to all Type 23s. Sonar 2087 is a tactical, variable-depth, active and passive sonar system which will operate with the Type 23's existing bow-mounted active Sonar 2050: the former system will provide a long-range picture with the latter filling in the nearer range.
Changes to the planned in-service date of Sonar 2087 were made in recent financial planning rounds, based on careful consideration of competing defence priorities and the need to maintain coherence between Sonar 2087 and the Type 23 refit programme. This is part of our normal process for making best use of the defence budget to meet changing priorities. Subject to completion of contractual negotiations with the successful prime contractor, Sonar 2087 is expected to enter operational service around 2005 when initial trials are complete. The precise shipfitting programme is also subject to contractual negotiations.